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Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade kicked off the Premier League Darts season with impressive victories but there were difficult defeats for Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor. REPORT: Barney batters Taylor All the details from Leeds on PL opening night Ah, weve missed the darts! But what did we learn from last Thursdays opening night in Leeds?Weve looked back over the results and given our assessment… When will Wade get credit? James Wade v Michael Van Gerwen - Premier League Darts Wade can be world beater Wayne Mardle credits The Machine Has anybody out there backed James Wade to be crowned 2016 Premier League Darts champion? If not, why not? The Machine outplayed Michael van Gerwen and defeated the worlds top player 7-4 having conceded the first three legs yet isnt always mentioned among the likeliest contenders for the top prizes.Hes No 6 in the world and reached the top of the mountain in 2009 in the Premier League so knows what it takes to lift the big trophies. People arent beating Michael when they have their chance, Wade told Sky Sports before their match-up and it appeared like he would join that unsuccessful list when he went 3-0 down.But Wades darts are meticulous and methodical, rather than the type of explosiveness than Van Gerwen demonstrated in the video above. Perhaps thats why Van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and co are frequently favoured above Wade, but the Aldershot thrower proved on the opening night that he has the arsenal to beat anybody.Barney can still rise to the occasion Highlights as Barney defeated Taylor At this point in his career, we know that Raymond van Barneveld has the audacity to defeat any player on the PDC roster but the issue arises when he must do it consistently. Take the World Championships in January, for example, when he delivered a classic display to eliminate Van Gerwen but was then flung out by Adrian Lewis.He threw with almost unerring accuracy at his doubles in a 7-2 thrashing of Phil Taylor on the Premier Leagues opening night. Hitting all six of his first darts at a double, he then crucially missed as he threw for a tournament record. It didnt matter, as Taylor had already been overwhelmed by this point and Van Barneveld cruised over the finishing line.The result cant be attributed to Taylors performance - he hit a lovely 113 checkout - because Van Barneveld simply didnt give him a moment to breathe. Its a perfect start for the Dutch master, the 2014 Premier League winner, but will he still be competitive by the time we head to his home country for the Rotterdam leg?MvG isnt unbeatable MVG hit this stunning checkout... but it wasnt enough No sportsman or woman is indestructible but Van Gerwens form over the past couple of years makes him as intimidating as any of his dominant peers across other sporting landscapes. That fearsome reputation has been earned but weve seen a few cracks in the windscreen recently.Wade wore him down with relentless scoring last Thursday, and it wasnt long before an uncomfortable Van Gerwen had a frustrated scowl on his face. He won last week Masters in Milton Keynes but losing to Wade was his first Sky Sports appearance since he was beaten by Van Barneveld at Ally Pally. Your memory might even stretch far back enough to remember Van Gerwens shock loss to Robert Thornton in the World Grand Prix final in October.Of course, these examples of defeat are hand-picked and do not reflect the green-clad Dutchmans vice-like grip over darts. Although Anderson might be creeping up on Van Gerwens No 1 spot dont expect him to remain in the losing column for long. And who does Van Gerwen play next week in the Premier League? Anderson.Premier League is a baptism of fire Funny moment as Lewis third dart gets stuck between other two Everyone has to earn their stripes somewhere but inexperience on the Premier League circuit can be an unforgiving and inhospitable existence. Michael Smith, the world No 8, is touted as one of darts rising stars by everybody in-the-know but endured a miserable start to his Premier League career.Picked in the 10-man line-up for the first time, Smith lost a coin toss which forced him to compete twice last Thursday to cover for Andersons late withdrawal. He was dealt a harsh lesson in his first match, losing 7-2 to Peter Wright, before Adrian Lewis mercilessly beat him 7-1. In the second outing Smith never appeared settled or recovered from his first loss, and Lewis offered words of sympathy at the conclusion of the drubbing.Thornton, meanwhile, returned to the Premier League after a year out and just couldnt adapt quickly enough. Dave Chisnall whitewashed him, reminding Thornton what life is like in the fast lane. For Smith and Thornton in particular, the learning curve will be steep.Anderson must make up ground Gary Anderson is yet to start his Premier League title defence The reigning champion withdrew from the opening night at a few hours notice due to illness meaning hes already got some making up to do. At some point this season he will be forced to play twice in the same night which, in such a quick format tournament, brings unique challenges.As mentioned, Smith found the double outing too tough to handle but Anderson, in contrast, is vastly experienced at this level. He will need to call on every ounce of composure to begin the defence of his title a week later than his nine challengers. You can watch the second round of Premier League action, live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm in Newcastle on Thursday, or watch without a contract on NOW TV.We will be building up to the coverage on our live blog here www.skysports.com/darts and the Sky Sports app will keep you up to date with all the action. Also See: Brutal Barney shuts Power off Wade has the whole game WATCH: Ten years at the top Whos got the X Factor? Fake Air Max 90 Mens . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. Cheap Air Max 90 . Pence singled in the winning run with no outs in the ninth inning to give the Giants a 7-6 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. http://www.outletairmax90cheap.com/outlet-air-max-90-2019-cheap.html . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. Cheap Air Max 90 2019 . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. Wholesale Air Max 90 . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. San Diego State athletic director Jim Sterk has been named Missouris new athletic director, the university announced Tuesday.Sterk will take over by Sept. 1, according to a release provided by the university.?The 60-year-old Sterk will replace Mack Rhoades, who resigned as Missouris athletic director in July to fill the same position at Baylor.?My passion is building upon the successes of good athletic programs and helping to make them great, Sterk said in the release. Whether it is guiding and mentoring student-athletes, working with coaches to ensure they have the resources they need or cheering with the fans, I realize that athletics is one of the most visible programs at a university.Sarah Reesman had been serving as Missouris interim athletic director, its third in three weeks after interim AD Wren Baker resigned to lead North Texas athletic department.Sterk has been with San Diego State since 2010 and is a member of the NCAA Division I mens basketball committee. He was one of four winners of the?National Association of College Directors of Athletics Under Armour AD of the Year in the Football Bowl Subdivision for the 2015-16 season.Jims leadership in intercollegiate athletics is unparalleled, and we are thrilled he is going to bring his talents, energy and passion for working with student-athletes to Columbia. He is just what Mizzou needs at this time,?University of Missouri Interim Chancellor Hank Foley said in the release.?The end of Rhoades 15-month tenure as Missouri athletic director was marked by protests and controversy.Student protests on the Missouri campus over social issues and racial tensions spilled over into the athletic department last season when the football team essentially went on strike in support of the protesteers, who were demanding the resignation of university systems president Tim Wolfe.ddddddddddddFormer football coach Gary Pinkel and Rhoades stood by the players, who in the end didnt miss any practice time, much less a game. Both the president and school chancellor, R. Bowen Loftin, resigned.Pinkel retired after last season and announced he was fighting cancer. Permanent replacements for Wolfe and Loftin have not been hired.Rhoades promoted defensive coordinator and former Missouri player Barry Odom to head coach, but the school, athletic department and Rhoades have faced continuing criticism from fans, boosters and state lawmakers for their handling of the players threatened boycott.Rhoades also had to hire a new baseball coach and dealt with a Title IX office investigation of softball coach Ehren Earleywine.(Sterk) has a superb winning record, is committed to the importance of diversity and inclusion efforts and will help restore pride and confidence in an athletics program that is working to overcome a challenging year, Foley said in the release.The NCAA also recently accepted Missouris self-imposed sanctions over infractions involving its mens basketball program but tacked on a year of probation through August of next year.The NCAA infractions committee panel said roughly $11,400 in improper inducements and benefits was given to players and a recruit by two boosters. The findings came nearly seven months after Missouri admitted NCAA violations dating to 2011.Missourinet, a website that covers news and sports in Missouri, first reported the news of Sterks hire.The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '