Raymond van Barneveld averages 107 but still loses to old rival Phil Taylor

Raymond van Barneveld warmed up for the World Darts Championship by rolling back the years with another epic battle against old rival Phil Taylor.

The darts legends met in an exhibition in Oldham on Thursday night and while Taylor prevailed 5-4, Van Barneveld suggested he is in decent nick by averaging an impressive 107, compared to Taylor’s 93.

Barney, 55, is hoping to continue his Indian summer with a strong showing at the Alexandra Palace following his brilliant and unexpected run to the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts last month.

READ MORE: Phil Taylor helping Raymond van Barneveld during dream run at Grand Slam of Darts

Van Barneveld defeated world number one Gerwyn Price in both the group and knockout stages before losing to eventual winner Michael Smith in the last four.

The run propelled him up the rankings, meaning he was seeded in the draw for the World Championship. As a result, he will begin the tournament in the second round, where he will face Ryan Meikle or Lisa Ashton.

While they were rivals back in the day, Van Barneveld will have the support of Taylor at the Worlds. During the Grand Slam, Barney revealed had been receiving messages of support from his great rival, who is now part of the burgeoning World Seniors Tour.

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“He's there all the time,” said Van Barneveld. “He's giving me text messages like ‘you can do this buddy, I believe in you’. He doesn't need to do this, he's the best darts player ever.

“We had many fights and many games and he's behind me and that gives me an incredible feeling. I don't want to disappoint this man, my family or future wife. I'm so happy, you can't describe this in words.”

Almost two years in, Van Barneveld’s comeback has not gone according to plan and he has qualified for just three of 13 European Tour events this year. However, the great Dutchman seems to have got his mojo back just in time for the biggest event of the year.

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