Classic matches between Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld

Old timers of the oche have met 79 times

By Raz Mirza

We delve into the archives and look back at some of Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld's classic encounters.

UK Open, 2006

RVB v Taylor: UK Open quarter-finals, 2006

A real gem of a match with the Dutchman winning a deciding-leg quarter-final classic. Taylor missed double 10 which would have claimed victory, but Van Barneveld still needed to take out 97. He did so in two magical darts before going on to claim the title.

Las Vegas Desert Classic, 2006

RVB v Taylor: Las Vegas Desert Classic, 2006

Van Barneveld was on a roll now and he beat Taylor just weeks later 4-3 to reach the final where he lost to 'Darth Maple' John Part.

World Championship, 2007

RVB v Taylor: World Championship final, 2007

No debate about it, this was the very best of the lot! Van Barneveld battled back from three sets down to beat Taylor 7-6 in the sudden-death leg to win his fifth world title and his very first in the PDC.

UK Open, 2008

RVB v Taylor: UK Open quarter-finals, 2008

They were back in Bolton for the UK Open and although Barney was enduring a barren spell, he conjured up some of his old magic to beat 'The Power' 10-9 to reach the semi-finals.

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World Matchplay, 2010

RVB v Taylor: World Matchplay final, 2010

Barney hit top form in Blackpool, hitting a nine-darter on his way to victory over Denis Ovens before defeating Alan Tabern and Co Stompe. He produced an impressive display to defeat James Wade 17-8 to reach the final, where, in a high-quality encounter he edged Taylor, 18-12.

World Championship, 2013

Taylor v RVB: World Championship semi-final, 2013

This clash was engulfed in drama and intrigue. The Dutch legend very nearly pulled off one of the greatest comebacks of all time in their semi-final clash. He was 5-1 down before staging an epic fightback by claiming the next three sets to trail 5-4. However, Taylor won the next set by three legs to one to stumble over the line.

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The pair were then involved in an angry confrontation on stage before being escorted off by security.

Premier League, 2015

RVB v Taylor: Premier League, 2015

Week seven in Glasgow saw one of the greatest Premier League matches in recent years as Van Barneveld defeated Taylor 7-4, despite 'The Power' averaging 115.80, the highest losing average in the history of televised darts.

Watch the arrows from the World Matchplay Darts at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool from 7pm on Sky Sports Action, or watch for £6.99 without a contract on NOW TV. The darts run right through until the final on Sunday, July 30.

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