This week in darts history: Barney's first PDC title

Raymond van Barneveld

We've delved into the archives to look back at this week in darts history, which saw Raymond van Barneveld claim his first PDC ranking title.

1994

Dennis Priestley won the second staging of the UK Matchplay on April 10, defending the title he won in 1993 with a 7-5 defeat of Bob Anderson in the final of the ITV broadcast event.

Alan Warriner (PDC)

1995

Exactly a year later Alan Warriner overcame Rod Harrington 6-4 in the final of the UK Matchplay.

1996

The following year saw Phil Taylor take the title in the last ever staging of the UK Matchplay, as Taylor got the better of Priestley 6-2 in the final.

Jimmy Mann (PDC)

2005

Taking part in just his seventh PDC ProTour event, Jimmy Mann proved to be something of a surprise package on April 10 2005 as he won the UK Open Midlands Regional Final - this turned out to be Mann's only title in the sport.

Raymond van Barneveld (PDC)

2006

Less than two months on from his high-profile switch to the PDC, Raymond van Barneveld claimed his first PDC title on April 9 2006.

The Dutch legend beat Ronnie Baxter 2-0 in the final of the final of the UK Open Midlands Regional Final.

Phil Taylor (PDC)

2008

On April 12 2008 Phil Taylor defeated Andy Smith 3-0 in the final of what turned out to be the last staging of the Antwerp Darts Trophy.

2009

On April 11 2009, 19-year-old Dutch wonderkid Michael van Gerwen claimed his first Players Championship title, defeating fellow-Dutchman Vincent van der Voort 6-3 in the final in Taunton.

The following day saw Phil Taylor whitewash Andy Hamilton 6-0 in the final of the UK Open South West Regional Final.

2010

On April 10 2010 Simon Whitlock claimed the Bobby Bourn Memorial Trophy with a 6-4 win over Gary Anderson in the final of the Players Championship, named in memory of the former PDC official.

It was the first of eight titles for the Aussie in 2010 as Whitlock enjoyed a sensational first year back in the PDC ranks.

The following day saw Mark Walsh beat John Part in the final of UK Open Qualifier 5.

2014

April 12 2014 saw Brendan Dolan claim the second of three ProTour victories that year, whitewashing Michael Smith 6-0 in the final in Wigan.

Michael van Gerwen & John Henderson (PDC)

2015

Michael van Gerwen made it three from three on the 2015 European Tour, edging out John Henderson 6-5 in the final of the German Darts Masters on April 6 2005.

The following weekend saw Van Gerwen back in the winners enclosure, with the Dutchman's win sandwiched either side of victories for Adrian Lewis at the ProTour treble-header in Barnsley.

2016

Rising Dutch star Benito van de Pas landed his first senior PDC ranking title in Barnsley on April 9 2016, with Van Gerwen and Ian White also in the winners' circle that weekend.

Daryl Gurney (PDC)

2017

Daryl Gurney won his first PDC ranking title in Barnsley on April 8 2017, overcoming Kim Huybrechts 6-3 in the final.

The following day saw Gurney reach the final once again, but this time he was denied by Joe Cullen - who claimed his maiden senior PDC title on a weekend of firsts in Yorkshire.

2018

Michael Smith defeated Adrian Lewis 6-2 to win Players Championship Seven on April 7 2018.

The following day saw Mickey Mansell sensationally come through the 128 player field to claim his first PDC ranking title, also defeating Lewis in the final, courtesy of a 6-4 scoreline.

2019

April 6 2019 saw James Wade pick up the first of his five Players Championship titles that year, while Jonny Clayton won his third PDC ranking title the following day.