SCOTT RAND 8-6 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD

SCOTT RAND enjoyed the biggest victory of his career as he defeated Raymond van Barneveld 8-6 to win through to his first major quarter-final at the Cash Converters Players Championship.

The lorry driver from Coventry is appearing in only his fourth televised tournament at the Players Championship, but followed up Thursday's first round defeat of Jamie Caven with a stunning defeat of the five-time World Champion.

Van Barneveld hit seven 180s in the game, but was unable to break Rand's throw as the emerging star won through to face James Wade at the Doncaster Dome in Sunday's quarter-finals.

Van Barneveld had taken the opening with a 96 finish, but missed two darts to double his lead as Rand posted double 16 to level before breaking in the third with a 96 checkout of his own, following up single 20 with a showpiece double 18 and double top.

He then held throw in the fourth by hitting double 18 with his third dart to lead 3-1 and take what would eventually prove to be a key lead.

The pair traded 180s as van Barneveld hit double two to win the fifth, but Rand won the sixth on double ten before missing the bull to steal the next after the Dutchman landed two 180s and eventually finished 26 with an improvised double four, double nine combination.

Rand won two of the next three on double 16 to move into a 6-4 lead, but that was cut to one leg when van Barneveld hit a 180 and double six.

He also landed a 180 in the next, but double eight moved Rand a leg away from the biggest win of his life as he led 7-5.

Van Barneveld posted a maximum in setting up a double nine finish to win his sixth leg, but was unable to prevent Rand wrapping up the victory in style in the next as he finished 170 to move into the last eight.

"It's brilliant," said Rand, who only became a professional in 2010. "Everything clicked on stage for me there and to beat someone of Raymond's quality is amazing.

"He's such a good player that to hold my throw against him so many times and get the victory is a big achievement.

"I'm still new and I've got high hpoes that I can become more established and become a full-time professional."

Van Barneveld said: "The break in the third leg was important because I was always trailing him after then. I tried everything to get back level but he scored well and the 170 finish was fantastic."