BOURNEMOUTH debutant Kevin Painter claimed the BIC crowd had given him a helping hand – by heckling opponent Gary Anderson.

Painter ended his run of five consecutive Premier League losses with an 8-4 win over the reigning champion last night. But he admitted he did not like the reception given to Anderson.

Painter said: “I think Gary got a lot of stick which we don’t want to see.

“He was getting abused when he was trying to throw and I don’t like all that sort of stuff. That probably lost him a couple of legs and won me a couple.

“But I had that a couple of times a few weeks ago and I suppose that is what you get in the Premier League.

“Gary is the only Scotsman in the tournament and most of the venues are nowhere near Scotland.

“The crowd were okay. If you are not Gary Anderson, the crowd are okay. I enjoyed it and played all right.”

That contest followed the opening clash – which provided rich entertainment as Simon Whitlock put one foot in next month’s play-offs at The O2.

Raymond van Barneveld, a Bournemouth crowd favourite following his BIC nine-darter in 2006, saluted his fans before the contest. But Whitlock soon took centre stage with an 8-4 victory.

The Australian said: “The way Raymond had been playing, I probably wasn’t expected to win that match.

“I pulled out a couple of nice finishes which probably turned the match in my favour.”

Dutchman ‘Barney’, who turns 45 today, put the defeat down to fatigue after arriving in Bournemouth on Wednesday to fulfil sponsorship commitments following his UK Open qualifier wins last weekend.

Whitlock lost the opening leg before the checkouts he highlighted – 116 and 155 – put him 4-1 ahead.

Missed doubles from ‘The Wizard’ allowed Barneveld to reduce the deficit to 6-4 but there was to be no comeback as the 43-year-old secured his sixth win of the series.

Andy ‘The Hammer’ Hamilton coolly took out double top amid raucous scenes to claim a ding-dong 7-7 draw against Hampshire’s James Wade.

Wade edged in front but Premier League newcomer Hamilton refused to be beaten on his Bournemouth bow.