JAMES RICHARDSON produced one of the biggest shocks in the history of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship by knocking out Raymond van Barneveld with an amazing 3-0 win on his televised debut on Sunday night.The world number 85, who only turned professional in January when he won a PDC Tour Card, will now face Belgian ace Kim Huybrechts, for a place in the last 16 of the tournament following a thrilling display.
Richardson, a 37-year-old bricklayer from Rushden in Northamptonshire, hit a brace of 145 checkouts in the process of sending five-time World Champion crashing out of the competition.
"I'm genuinely lost for words after what's happened", admitted a stunned Richardson, who lived up to his 'Ruthless' nickname.
"I'm a bricklayer whose just beaten the five-time World Champion in the most important tournament in darts.
"When the draw came out I really fancied the task and believed I could beat Raymond. Tonight has capped off what has been a fantastic 2011 for me."
Van Barneveld came out of the blocks quickly, hitting a 180 with his first three darts and then taking the opening leg with a 130 checkout.
The Dutchman hit double four to take the second before Richardson won the next by hitting double top at the second time of asking.
The fourth leg saw Richardson take out a fabulous 145 finish, and he then won the fifth to take the set and put van Barneveld under pressure.
The second set began with Richardson claiming a break of throw after van Barneveld was off-target with two darts at doubles.
Richardson hit double 16 to win a fifth successive leg before van Barneveld stopped the rot by landing double nine.
But Richardson, who has produced some impressive displays in his debut year in the PDC, hit a clinical 120 checkout to take the set in style and move 2-0 up in the match.
Van Barneveld hit two maximums in an 11-darter to take the opening leg of set three, and the second soon followed to give the Dutchman a 2-0 lead.
Both players hit 180s in the third leg before the Dutchman missed three darts to win the set and Richardson hit tops to hit back.
The Northamptonshire player then hit a superb 145 checkout, for the second time in the match, to level and move a leg away from victory.
The deciding leg saw the Dutchman miss three more chances to win the set - six in all - and Richardson ended the contest by hitting double 16 to record an incredible win.
"This will give me so much confidence and I just want to build on this now," added Richardson. "I'll take it one game at a time now and get ready to play Kim Huybrechts now after Christmas."
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