PHIL TAYLOR hit back from 5-1 down to claim a draw against Michael van Gerwen in the Betway Premier League on Thursday, as Gary Anderson picked up a Glasgow double with wins over Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright.
 
World number one van Gerwen and 16-time World Champion Taylor both travelled to Scotland with five successive victories under their belts, and remained locked at the top of the league table after a thrilling stalemate at The SSE Hydro.
 
Van Gerwen capitalised on four missed doubles from Taylor to win the opening leg, before taking four in a row as he opened up a 5-1 lead over the Stoke legend.
 
An 84 bull finish from Taylor fired his challenge and he followed a 14-darter with a 120 finish as he cut the gap to 5-4 - only for van Gerwen to produce a show-stopping 170 checkout as he secured a minimum of a point.
 
Taylor, though, refused to buckle and punished van Gerwen for missing three match darts by completing a 14-darter to force a deciding leg, which he won with a brilliant 12-darter to snatch a draw.
 
"I gave a point away today," said van Gerwen. "I was the better player but I missed darts for the match and I can only blame myself because I wasn't focused enough for some reason and Phil came back really well.
 
"I'm still happy with a point but I'll try even harder next week because I can do loads better than this."
 
Taylor admitted: "I loving every minute of it at the moment. Michael's a fantastic player and he's inspiring me at the moment, so to get a draw against him is like winning the lottery.
 
"The first leg blew it for me but I'm after him and it's exciting for me. We'll have a lot more battles and it's brilliant."
 
Reigning Premier League champion Anderson, meanwhile, picked up four points to delight a sell-out 10,000 crowd in Glasgow as he saw off Lewis 7-4 and then edged out Wright 7-5 in a thriller.
 
The double saw the World Champion extend his winning streak to five straight matches as he moved into third place, a point behind van Gerwen and Taylor.
 
"I would have been happy just to pick up two points from the two games tonight so four's a bonus," said Anderson. "I'm up there in the table now so I'm happy, and to walk out and hear a reception like I got tonight was fantastic.
 
"I played well and that's what you want to do in front of your home crowd. It always puts extra pressure on me but I'm happy I gave them plenty to cheer."
 
James Wade, the 2009 champion, picked up his third successive victory, and a fifth of the season, as he defeated Robert Thornton 7-4, averaging over 100 and taking out a 124 finish as he left the Scot two points adrift at the foot of the league table.
 
Wade is now fourth in the league table, and he said: "It was a good win but Robert didn't get going and I made the most of my opportunities early on.
 
"The game came alive towards the end and we both played really well, and I'm really happy."
 
Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld took out finishes of 121, 161 and 152 as he defeated Dave Chisnall 7-4 in a key game for both players, with the Dutchman pulling three points clear of the battle to avoid elimination on Judgement Night in two weeks' time as he averaged 104.90.
 
"I'm really happy with this performance and it's a really big result," said van Barneveld. "I'm on six points now and this could be a really important two points.
 
"I'm extremely happy with the 105 average and I know what I can do. My set-up is right and I believe in myself, and if you do that then anything can happen."
 
Michael Smith missed the night in Glasgow after he doubled up in Leeds to cover for Anderson's absence, while next week's visit to the Echo Arena in Liverpool sees Wade sit out as Thornton plays twice on the night following his absence through illness in Newcastle earlier this season.
 
Betway Premier League
Night Seven - March 17
The SSE Hydro, Glasgow
Gary Anderson 7-4 Adrian Lewis
James Wade 7-4 Robert Thornton
Michael van Gerwen 6-6 Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld 7-4 Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson 7-5 Peter Wright
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Gary Anderson v Adrian Lewis
1-0 - Lewis fires in the game's first 180, but can only watch on as Anderson lands tops to complete an excellent 13-darter to kick off in front of a capacity crowd.
2-0 - Lewis is first to a double, but misses five darts at doubles 12 and six to level before the reigning champion finishes 87 on double 18 to break throw and move two legs up.
3-0 - Lewis lands another maximum but Anderson hits tops to continue his brilliant start.
3-1 - Lewis posts his third 180 before hitting tops to get off the mark.
4-1 - Anderson lands his first maximum of the game before landing double five to claim his fourth leg.
4-2 - Lewis initially misses tops for a 160 checkout, but Anderson is off-target with three darts at the same bed before the Stoke ace returns to claim the leg.
5-2 - Double four sees Anderson continue his charge towards claiming a result.
5-3 - Anderson misses tops for a 76 finish as Lewis hits the same bed to respond - but he remains a break of throw behind his rival.
6-3 - The reigning World Champion finishes 48 on tops to secure a minimum of a point.
6-4 - The pair trade 180s, with Lewis earning a reprieve from two missed doubles when Anderson misses match darts at double top and ten, allowing the Stoke thrower back to hit double two and keep his hopes alive.
7-4 - Anderson fires home double 12 to secure victory from his first of two games on the night - his fourth straight Betway Premier League victory.
 
James Wade v Robert Thornton
1-0 - Wade kicks off the game with a 180 before finishing 124 for a superb opening leg.
1-1 - Thornton lands double ten to level and settle any nerves in front of his home crowd.
2-1 - Wade finishes 56 on tops to hold throw and regain the edge.
2-2 - Thornton brings the crowd to their feet with two 180s before hitting a seventh treble 20, only to miss the treble 19 in his bid for a nine-darter - but he returns to claim the leg.
3-2 - Wade misses the bull to finish 161, but returns to land double ten as he regains the edge.
3-3 - Thornton kicks off with 140 and a 180 before finishing 54 on tops to level.
4-3 - Thornton fires in a 168 score to leave 134, but Wade takes out 71 on tops to avert a possible break of throw.
5-3 - Wade misses tops for a 154 finish, but returns to take out double ten as he breaks throw to establish a two-leg lead.
6-3 - Double nine sees Wade secure a minimum of a point from the game.
6-4 - Wade misses the bull to finish 161, and Thornton hits the middle double to complete a 95 finish to keep his hopes alive.
7-4 - Thornton lands his fourth 180 of the game, but it proves to be his final visit as Wade posts tops to claim his fifth win of the season.
 
Michael van Gerwen v Phil Taylor
1-0 - Taylor is first to a finish, scoring two 140s and a 180, but four missed doubles allow van Gerwen in to take out 92 to avert a possible break of throw.
1-1 - Taylor takes out a clinical 114 on tops to level.
2-1 - van Gerwen pins double top at the first time of asking to regain the edge.
3-1 - van Gerwen lands his first 180 before breaking throw by hitting double ten.
4-1 - Taylor responds with a 180, but van Gerwen lands tops to take a third successive leg as he pulls clear.
5-1 - van Gerwen pulls clear with a 177 score before returning from two missed doubles by landing double nine to claim a four-leg lead.
5-2 - van Gerwen misses a dart at tops to win a fifth successive leg, and Taylor finishes 84 on the bull to hit back with a break of throw.
5-3 - van Gerwen lands his second 180, but Taylor finishes 62 with a 14-darter to cut the gap to two legs.
5-4 - Taylor opens with a 177 before taking out a brilliant 120 to break throw again and claim a third straight leg.
6-4 - Taylor leaves 64 as he bids to level, but van Gerwen takes out a stunning 170 checkout to halt his rival's comeback and secure at least a draw.
6-5 - van Gerwen lands his third 180, but misses three match darts at double 18 to allow Taylor in as he takes out double four to send the game into a decider.
6-6 - Taylor scores three 140s before van Gerwen hits a 180, but the six-time Premier League winner takes out 81 on treble 13 to snatch a point from 5-1 down.
 
Raymond van Barneveld v Dave Chisnall
1-0 - Double ten sees van Barneveld win the opening leg.
2-0 - van Barneveld returns from two misses at tops to land double ten for a second leg.
2-1 - Chisnall finishes 60 on tops to hit back with a break of throw in reply.
2-2 - Chisnall fires in a 180 before finishing a 12-darter on double ten.
2-3 - van Barneveld kicks off the leg with two 180s before Chisnall lands a maximum, and when the Dutchman misses two darts at doubles his rival steps in to finish a 12-darter on double ten to move ahead.
3-3 - van Barneveld opens the leg with his third maximum in five visits to the oche, before taking out 64 on double eight to break back and level.
4-3 - Chisnall fires in his fourth 180, but van Barneveld finishes 121 on the bull as he moves back ahead, lifting his in-running average to 109 in the process.
5-3 - van Barneveld takes out 161 for a second successive week as he breaks throw to move two legs clear.
6-3 - The Dutchman takes out 76 on double 18 to seal at least a point from the contest.
6-4 - van Barneveld lands a 180 but misses a dart at double 16 to punish three misses at tops from Chisnall, who returns on double ten to keep his hopes alive.
7-4 - van Barneveld seals victory in style with a brilliant 152 finish, his third ton-plus checkout.
 
Gary Anderson v Peter Wright
0-1 - Double ten sees Wright claim the opening leg against the throw.
1-1 - Three missed doubles from Wright are punished as Anderson takes out tops.
2-1 - Anderson finishes 101 on double eight to edge in front.
2-2 - Wright produces an outstanding ten-dart finish, scoring 180, 140 and 149 before finishing double 16 to level.
3-2 - Anderson fires in a superb 168 score to leave 80 before finishing the combination with two double tops to regain the lead.
3-3 - Wright takes out 60 on tops to square the game once again.
3-4 - Another 60 checkout, ending on double ten, sees Wright break throw to move back ahead.
4-4 - Wright hits a 180, but Anderson replies with a maximum before taking out 81 in two darts on double 12 as he breaks back to level.
5-4 - Wright misses double 16 for a 64 finish, allowing Anderson back in on double ten to regain the lead.
5-5 - Anderson hits a 180 but misses two darts - at double 12 and six - to allow Wright in to level a see-saw contest.
6-5 - Anderson finishes 100 with two double tops as he secures at least a draw from the game.
7-5 - The pair trade 180s before the game ends in drama, with Anderson's three missed doubles followed by three misses by Wright at double four to claim a point before the World Champion hits double five to claim the win and four points on the evening.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN and Phil Taylor continue to set the pace in the Betway Premier League following big wins at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena on Thursday, as reigning champion Gary Anderson, Adrian Lewis and James Wade also picked up victories.
 
World number one van Gerwen's astonishing recent form continued as he averaged 113.47 in a 7-2 defeat of Dave Chisnall, a display which included checkouts of 134, 105 and 100 in successive legs.
 
The win was van Gerwen's fifth in a row this season and leaves him ahead of Taylor on leg difference ahead of their high-profile showdown in Glasgow next week, and after also retaining the UK Open title on Sunday the Dutchman admitted: "I'm playing fantastic darts and I'm happy with what I'm doing at the moment.
 
"I think I played a really good game tonight but I was consistent and I got the win, which is what you aim for. Of course I can do better, but I'm still at the top and I can't wait to play Phil next week because I always look forward to playing him.
 
"He's the greatest who ever lived but I'm challenging him at the moment."
 
Taylor condemned World Grand Prix champion Robert Thornton to a second 7-0 whitewash of the season with a ruthless display of his own, limiting the Scot to only three darts at a double in a dominant performance as he also won a fifth straight match.
 
"Robert didn't deserve to be whitewashed and he missed one or two doubles, but I had to go out and do a job and I did that tonight," said Taylor. "I'm gutted for Robert because he's such a nice guy and a good player and he's struggling a little bit, but he'll be back.
 
"It's another two points for me and I'm focusing on getting to the Play-Offs. I'm really looking forward to next week against Michael and I can't wait - I'll be ready for him."
 
Adrian Lewis bounced back from his 7-1 loss to Taylor last week in Exeter with a 7-3 win over Sunday's UK Open finalist Peter Wright, averaging 107.93 and taking out a key 136 checkout in a superb performance.
 
"Peter's been playing some fantastic darts recently so I knew I had to be up for the challenge and I came through it well," said Lewis. "I played really well and I'm happy with my performance.
 
"Last weekend wasn't a great weekend for me - I lost 7-1 to Phil in the Premier League and then went out in the UK Open to Jelle Klaasen but I played awfully all the way through really - but I put it right."
 
James Wade joined Lewis on eight points as he edged out Raymond van Barneveld 7-5, after the Dutchman missed three darts at doubles to snatch a draw in the game's deciding leg.
 
Van Barneveld followed up finishes of 104 and 118 with a brilliant 161 checkout as he pulled back to 5-3, but a key 121 bull finish from Wade gave him breathing space before he took out 82 to claim both points.
 
"It was a strange game and Raymond probably should have got a draw out of it," said Wade. "Fortunately he missed his darts at a double, although I did the same against Adrian a few weeks ago and threw away a draw in the same way.
 
"I'm kicking myself a little bit because I got so far in front early on, but I'm really happy to get the win."
 
World Champion Anderson claimed his third successive win to give himself breathing space from the elimination battle at the foot of the table with a 7-3 defeat of Michael Smith, the Premier League newcomer who was facing his mentor on stage for the first time.
 
Smith hit back from 4-1 down to trail by just one leg before Anderson took out a key 64 finish in leg nine before landing a brace of double ten checkouts to seal the win.
 
"I was really nervous about the game because I've said for years how good Michael is and he's still yet to show it on TV, and he was a little bit off tonight so it was good to get the win," said Anderson. "If Michael had won it he'd certainly have let me know about it!
 
"I'm pleased to have go the points because I'm still not happy with my performance and I'm still not throwing right, I'm lobbing them a little and it's got me puzzled but I'll keep plodding on."
 
Thornton now sits on one point at the foot of the league table, albeit with a game in hand, with Smith and Chisnall on three points and 2014 champion van Barneveld having claimed four points from his opening six games.
 
The Betway Premier League continues next Thursday at The Hydro in Glasgow, where Anderson will compete twice to play his game in hand after missing the season's opening night in Leeds through illness.
 
Thornton then plays twice in Liverpool before Judgement Night in Cardiff sees the bottom two players eliminated, leaving the remaining eight stars to battle for Play-Off places in the second half of the season.
 
Betway Premier League
Night Six - March 10
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
Michael Smith 3-7 Gary Anderson
Peter Wright 3-7 Adrian Lewis
Raymond van Barneveld 5-7 James Wade
Robert Thornton 0-7 Phil Taylor
Dave Chisnall 2-7 Michael van Gerwen

MATCH INFORMATION
Michael Smith v Gary Anderson
0-1 - Smith misses double eight and four, allowing Anderson in to break with a 64 finish.
1-1 - Anderson posts a 180, but Smith lands double 18 to break throw.
1-2 - Smith misses double 18 to finish 144, and Anderson breaks once more by landing tops.
1-3 - Anderson hits a 174 before pinning double top again to claim the leg, despite Smith landing two 180s.
1-4 - Anderson once again lands tops, this time finishing 46, as he breaks throw for a third time.
2-4 - Smith lands a 180 and is handed a reprieve for two missed doubles when Anderson is off-target on double 12 for a 141 finish, allowing the former World Youth Champion back on double ten.
3-4 - Smith cuts the gap to just one leg by landing double top with his third dart.
3-5 - Another 64 finish from Anderson sees him edge clear of his rival.
3-6 - Anderson secures at least a point, opening with a 180 before landing double ten.
3-7 - Another double ten checkout seals a third successive victory for Anderson.
 
Peter Wright v Adrian Lewis
0-1 - Lewis takes out 24 to claim the opening leg against the throw.
0-2 - Wright lands a 180, but Lewis finishes double five to move two legs up.
1-2 - Wright fires in another maximum before posting double four.
1-3 - Tops sees Lewis restore his cushion.
2-3 - Wright lands a third 180 before double eight sees him respond.
2-4 - Lewis replies with a 180 before hitting double 16.
2-5 - Another Lewis maximum is followed by a sublime 136 checkout.
3-5 - Lewis hits another 180, but Wright takes out 90 on double 15 to hit back.
3-6 - Lewis seals at least a draw, following a fifth 180 by taking out double four to punish a miss at the same bed from Wright.
3-7 - Tops secures Lewis' fourth victory of the season.
 
Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade
0-1 - van Barneveld lands the game's first 180, but Wade finishes 101 to claim the opener against the throw.
0-2 - Wade pins double 12 to double his lead.
1-2 - van Barneveld posts another maximum before finishing 104 to punish a missed bull from the left-hander.
1-3 - The 2014 champion misses two darts at double 18 to level, allowing Wade back in double ten to regain his cushion.
1-4 - Wade takes out 84 on double 12 to move three legs clear with another break of throw.
1-5 - Another miss from van Barneveld, at double 16, allows Wade in on double ten.
2-5 - van Barneveld responds with another ton-plus finish, taking out 118 on double 19.
3-5 - Wade fires in his third 180 of the game to leave 24, but can only watch on as the Dutchman finishes a sensational 161 finish, bringing a capacity crowd to its feet.
3-6 - The game sees a fifth ton-plus finish in nine legs, as Wade kicks off with a 180 before taking out 121 on the bull to secure at least a point from the match.
4-6 - Wade misses double top for the match, allowing van Barneveld in on double 12 to keep his hopes alive of snatching a draw.
5-6 - The Dutchman lands a 180 before returning on tops to send the game into a deciding 12th leg.
5-7 - van Barneveld is first to a double, but misses double seven and two darts at double two to grab a point, allowing Wade in to finish 82 on double 16 to finally claim both points.
 
Robert Thornton v Phil Taylor
0-1 - Taylor lands two 180s as he takes the opening leg.
0-2 - The 16-time World Champion holds throw to double his advantage.
0-3 - Taylor kicks off with a 180, and when Thornton misses double top and ten he steps in to finish 56 on tops to break throw for a second time.
0-4 - Taylor again opens with a 180 before finishing double eight to win a fourth straight leg.
0-5 - Thornton hits a 180, but Taylor finishes double 17 to continue his dominant display.
0-6 - Taylor lands a 174 score before taking out 32 to secure a minimum of a point.
0-7 - Taylor ruthlessly completes victory, starting with his fifth 180 of the game before finishing double four to claim a fifth straight win.
 
Dave Chisnall v Michael van Gerwen
0-1 - van Gerwen kicks off the game with a 180 before landing tops for an 11-darter.
1-1 - Chisnall opens with 140 and 180 before hitting double ten to level.
1-2 - van Gerwen lands a 168 score before taking out a sensational 134 checkout to break throw for a second time.
1-3 - The Dutchman opens with a 177 before checking out 105 to move two legs clear.
1-4 - van Gerwen lands a third successive ton-plus checkout by taking out 100.
1-5 - van Gerwen kicks off with a 177 score for a second time, before double 15 wins him a fifth leg.
2-5 - Chisnall opens with a maximum of his own before being handed a let-off for five missed doubles as he returns on double five, after van Gerwen misses double 14 and seven.
2-6 - The pair trade 180s before double 12 seals at least a point for van Gerwen.
2-7 - van Gerwen's third 180 of the game is followed by double 16 to complete another brilliant victory with a 113.47 average.

NINE-DART hero Michael van Gerwen retained the Coral UK Open with an imperious 11-4 win over Peter Wright in Sunday's final at the Butlins Minehead Resort to continue his incredible start to 2016.
 
The Dutch superstar followed up Saturday's stunning nine-dart finish against amateur Rob Cross, which also featured two of four 170 checkouts he would land during the event, by powering to the Ł60,000 title in Sunday's finals day.
 
He firstly overcame the event's last remaining amateur ace, Essex's Barry Lynn, with a 10-6 quarter-final win before coming from 4-1 down to defeat great rival Phil Taylor by the same scoreline in the semis.
 
He then produced a master-class against Wright in a repeat of the 2015 final as he again swept to victory with a relentless display, taking charge with an early 4-1 lead before the Scot pulled back to 5-3.
 
A 105 finish from van Gerwen was followed by finishes of 88, 76 and 74 as he took five straight legs to move to the brink of victory, with Wright taking the 14th leg and the missing double 12 for a sensational nine-darter, only to see the Dutchman step in to complete victory with a 64 finish.
 
"I played really well and I'm really pleased to win another trophy," said van Gerwen, who has now won six PDC events during 2016 and averaged 106.68 in the final. "I had four 170 finishes, a nine-darter and won the tournament so it's fantastic.
 
"I'm working really hard and I'm glad it's paying off at the moment. I love this game and I love winning, this is a wonderful feeling.
 
"Peter is growing into one of the best players there is and he's getting better and better - but I'm glad I beat him today. I did the right thing at the right moment and he's a fantastic player, and sooner or later he is going to win a tournament."
 
Wright was left to claim the Ł30,000 runner-up cheque for the second successive year as his quest for a maiden major title continues, and the world number five said: "He's the best player on the planet.
 
"I'm disappointed that I didn't give him more of a game but I will work harder to try and get to Michael's level. He's a machine at the moment.
 
"It is coming for me - I learn every time I lose against these guys and it might take a little time but I will get there."
 
Taylor, a five-time UK Open champion, was joined in reaching the semi-finals by Dutch ace Jelle Klaasen, who followed up his run to the last four of the World Championship in the New Year with another strong display.
 
He hit back from 4-1 down against Wright to pull back to 6-5, but crucially missed two darts to level the semi-final as the Scot capitalised before pulling clear to seal a 10-5 win with a 127 checkout.
 
Klaasen, though, moves up to a career-high tenth on the PDC Order of Merit after picking up Ł17,000 in prize money, and said: "I'm disappointed at the moment but I'm happy with how the weekend went for me.
 
"I had a lot of chances and didn't take them. My doubles didn't go in during the semi-final and Peter was the better player and deserved to be in the final. I'll be back, and I'll work harder and be back a better player."
 
Taylor's run to the last four also saw him jump back above 2014 UK Open champion Adrian Lewis to third in the PDC Order of Merit, while Wright moved ahead of James Wade to return to fifth place.
 
The 128-player Coral UK Open was held at the Butlins Minehead Resort in Somerset, with play across eight stages simultaneously in the early rounds as professional stars and Rileys Amateur Qualifiers competed live on ITV4.
 
Butlins Big Weekend Packages for the Cash Converters Players Championship Finals from November 25-27 are available now through www.bigweekends.com/darts.
 
Coral UK Open
Sunday March 6
Evening Session
Semi-Finals
Peter Wright 10-5 Jelle Klaasen
Michael van Gerwen 10-6 Phil Taylor
 
Final
Michael van Gerwen 11-4 Peter Wright
 
MATCH INFORMATION
SEMI-FINALS
Peter Wright v Jelle Klaasen
1-0 - Wright lands double five to claim the opening leg, with Klaasen waiting on 20.
1-1 - Wright misses tops for a 119 finish, and Klaasen hits the same bed to level.
2-1 - Double eight edges Wright back ahead.
3-1 - The pair trade 180s before Wright hits double eight to break throw.
4-1 - Klaasen lands his second 180, but misses two darts at double 14 to allow Wright in to finish double ten - with his third dart - to move three legs clear.
5-1 - Double 16 sees Wright claim another break of throw.
5-2 - Klaasen opens with a 180 before Wright replies in kind, only to miss the bull for a 161 finish to allow the Dutchman in to land double 18 for a brilliant ten-darter.
5-3 - Wright misses double 16, and Klaasen steps in on tops to continue his revival.
6-3 - Double 16 sees Wright restore his three-leg lead.
6-4 - Wright misses double 16 to take out 94, and Klaasen pins double 18 to hit back.
6-5 - The pair trade 180s, but Wright's missed doubles in three visits to the board allow Klaasen in on double one to cut the gap to one leg.
7-5 - Klaasen sees his chance to level go begging, with the pair trading 180s again before the Dutchman misses double 18 and nine, allowing Wright in on double ten.
8-5 - Wright finishes 68 on double four to move three legs clear once again.
9-5 - Double 16 sees Wright break throw once again to move a leg away from the final.
10-5 - Wright seals his return to the Coral UK Open final with a 127 checkout, ending on double eight.
 
Michael van Gerwen v Phil Taylor
0-1 - Taylor finishes 107 on double 16 to win the opening leg.
0-2 - Taylor lands double eight to secure an immediate break of throw.
0-3 - Taylor posts the game's first 180 before hitting double four to claim his third leg.
1-3 - Double 12 gives van Gerwen his first leg of the match.
1-4 - van Gerwen hits two 180s but misses the bull to finish 84, and Taylor follows a maximum of his own by posting double 13 for an 11-darter.
2-4 - van Gerwen lands a 180 before responding with double four.
3-4 - van Gerwen posts another maximum to leave 64 before taking out the combination on tops to break throw.
4-4 - Double 16 sees van Gerwen level with a third successive leg.
4-5 - Taylor responds with a 180 and double 16 to regain the lead.
5-5 - A sensational 151 checkout from van Gerwen sees him square the contest again.
6-5 - van Gerwen kicks off with a 177 before punishing two misses from Taylor by landing double eight to break throw and move back ahead.
7-5 - The Dutch star opens with two 180s, with Taylor replying with a maximum but unable to prevent the world number one from taking out 76.
8-5 - Double ten sees van Gerwen break throw again to open up a three-leg lead.
9-5 - Tops moves the reigning champion a leg away from victory.
9-6 - Taylor takes out 86 on double 18 to keep his hopes alive.
10-6 - van Gerwen fires in a 180 before finishing double eight to seal his spot in the final.
 
FINAL
Peter Wright v Michael van Gerwen
0-1 - The pair trade 180s in the opening leg before van Gerwen holds throw on double 16.
1-1 - Wright opens with 140 and 180 before levelling on double 16.
1-2 - Wright lands another 180, but van Gerwen pins double 12 to edge back ahead.
1-3 - van Gerwen breaks throw with the aid of a 177 and double 16.
1-4 - van Gerwen fires in a second 180 before escaping from five missed doubles by returning on double three, after Wright wires two darts at tops to steal the leg.
2-4 - Wright takes out 61 to hit back with his second leg of the game.
2-5 - Double 16 sees van Gerwen regain his three-leg cushion.
3-5 - Wright returns from missing the bull for a 161 checkout to claim the leg and respond once more.
3-6 - van Gerwen lands a 180 and a 105 checkout to push clear.
3-7 - van Gerwen opens with a 177 and punishes Wright for a miss at double 16, for a 146 finish, by taking out 88 on double 14.
3-8 - The world number one opens with a 180 before moving three legs away from the title on double two.
3-9 - van Gerwen's relentless charge towards victory continues with a sixth 180 and a 76 finish.
3-10 - van Gerwen takes out 74 in two darts to move to the brink of the title, maintaining an average of almost 108.
4-10 - van Gerwen misses three match darts, and double four sees Wright keep his hopes alive.
4-11 - Wright misses double 12 for a nine-dart finish - hitting 180, 180 and treble 20 and treble 19 - only to also miss two more doubles for the leg as van Gerwen steps in to finish 64 for the title.

​AMATEUR STARS EYE GIANT-KILLINGS AFTER REACHING CORAL UK OPEN'S FOURTH ROUND
 
AMATEUR stars Rob Cross and Barry Lynn will take on the world's top two darts players, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson, in the Coral UK Open fourth round after winning through Friday's early stages in Minehead, as Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld prepare for a high-profile showdown.
 
The Ł300,000 UK Open Televised Finals kicked off with a thrilling day of action as 128 players competed across eight stages at the Butlins Minehead Resort, live on ITV4.
 
Hastings-based electrician Cross, one of the 32 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers who won through nationwide knockouts to secure places alongside the 96 professional qualifiers, won three matches on the day to secure a dream clash with van Gerwen.
 
Cross defeated Canada's Ken MacNeil, former UK Open finalist Wes Newton and Dutchman Jeffrey De Graaf to seal a last 32 spot, and admitted: "I'm gobsmacked that I'm still here but I'm very excited.
 
"I'm absolutely over the moon. I've played some quality darts today and I'm looking forward to tomorrow. It's the biggest event I've ever played in and I've handled the nerves and really enjoyed it.
 
"It's been out of this world and I feel comfortable when I'm playing. Hopefully it carries on tomorrow - I'm not worried, I've got to go up there and try to produce a decent game to try and win."
 
Reigning UK Open champion van Gerwen showed his class with two 170 checkouts in his 9-2 victory over Ryan Harrington, the son of former world number one Rod who had won through to the third round in Minehead for a second successive year before coming up against the in-form Dutch superstar.
 
"I had some good finishes and it's nice to get the first game out of the way," said van Gerwen. "I'm in the tournament now and I feel really comfortable. I'm playing really well and I want to play better than this in the next round."
 
Essex's Lynn, meanwhile, followed up wins over Dean Stewart and Brett Claydon in the afternoon session by defeating former World Grand Prix finalist Brendan Dolan 9-6 as he sealed a spot in the last 32 - where he now meets World Champion Gary Anderson.
 
Anderson, though, had to overcome some nervy moments as he hit back from 7-5 down to defeat Dave Chisnall 9-7, winning the final four legs without reply after his opponent had taken out a superb 138 to move two legs clear.
 
Five-time UK Open champion Taylor also had to overcome stiff opposition before sealing a fourth round spot, with former World Youth Champion Arron Monk coming from 5-3 down to level before missing one dart to move ahead in leg 11.
 
Taylor pounced and took four legs in a row to progress, only to draw two-time UK Open champion Raymond van Barneveld in a huge fourth round contest after the Dutchman earlier produced an 11-dart finish in the deciding leg of his tight battle with youngster David Pallett.
 
2014 UK Open champion Adrian Lewis swept past Cumbria's Tony Newell 9-1 and now plays John Henderson, who defeated Sweden's Magnus Caris 9-4.
 
Two-time UK Open winner James Wade, though, crashed out 9-2 to Austria's Mensur Suljovic, who has been a quarter-finalist in this event in the past two years and now takes on Dutch youngster Ryan De Vreede, who defeated Nathan Derry, Andrew Gilding and Josh Payne on Friday.
 
The two beaten finalists in the 2014 and 2015 UK Opens, Terry Jenkins and Peter Wright, will meet in the fourth round after their respective wins over Steve Beaton and Ronny Huybrechts.
 
Australian ace Simon Whitlock, who has started wearing glasses in 2016 in a bid to reverse his slide down the rankings, impressed with a comeback win over Ian White, and he now plays Dutch youngster Benito van de Pas, who saw off Mervyn King 9-7.
 
Alan Norris averaged 102 and took out a 170 finish in his 9-7 win over Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena, and he now plays Joe Cullen after the Bradford youngster's impressive 9-1 defeat of Stoke's Mark Frost.
 
Jamie Caven was another player to land a 170 finish as he overcame Gloucestershire's Lee Evans 9-7, and he now plays Stephen Bunting after the former Lakeside Champion produced legs of 12 and 11 darts to edge through from 8-7 down against Jamie Lewis.
 
Australian ace Kyle Anderson dropped only two legs in his win over Andy Hamilton, setting up a fourth round meeting with James Wilson, who saw off German debutant Rene Eidams 9-3.
 
Bolton's Joe Murnan punished Welshman Gerwyn Price for a missed match dart in the deciding leg of their contest as he moved through to a meeting with Jelle Klaasen, with the Dutchman defeating Matt Clark 9-6.
 
Former World Youth Champion Michael Smith capitalised on three missed match darts from Daryl Gurney to progress to a meeting with Stuart Kellett, who was a 9-7 winner against Dutch ace Joey Ten Berge.
 
2007 UK Open runner-up Vincent van der Voort enjoyed a 9-3 win over Dean Winstanley and now faces former semi-finalist Andy Jenkins, who defeated Wayne Jones and Richie Corner on Friday.
 
Taunton's Justin Pipe ended the hopes of UK Open ever-present Alex Roy - a Rileys Amateur Qualifier who won two games to reach the third round - with a 9-7 win, and he now plays Kim Huybrechts after the Belgian dropped just one leg in his defeat of Steve Maish.
 
Wales' Mark Webster defeated Daventry's Matthew Edgar 9-3 and now plays Dutch youngster Dirk van Duijvenbode, who was a 9-6 winner against Robbie Green, while Ricky Evans' 9-5 win over Andy Boulton means that he faces Darren Webster in round four, with the Norwich ace being a 9-5 winner over Edinburgh-based amateur Andrew Davidson.
 
Saturday's double session at the Butlins Minehead Resort will see the fifth round (last 16) held in the evening session before Sunday sees the tournament conclude with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
 
2016 Coral UK Open
Friday March 4
Afternoon Session
First Round
Wes Newton 6-4 Mark Cox
Ronny Huybrechts 6-3 Mark Rice
Alex Roy 6-1 Dennis Smith
Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Andy Smith
Andy Boulton 6-4 Lee Grimshaw
William O'Connor 6-1 Mark Jodrill
Magnus Caris 6-5 Jason Mold
Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Mick McGowan
Kevin Dowling 6-2 Dick van Dijk
Jonathan Worsley 6-1 Curtis Turner
Arron Monk 6-3 Stewart Rattray
Barry Lynn 6-4 Dean Stewart
Ben Green Bye (Jason Hogg eliminated)
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Michael McFall
Harry Ward 6-3 Alan Tabern
Paul Hogan 6-3 Daniel Day
Mark Barilli 6-1 Darren Layden
Jonny Clayton 6-2 Ian McFarlane
Ryan De Vreede 6-3 Nathan Derry
Darren Webster 6-0 Lee Morris
Mark Frost 6-0 Andy Brown
Joe Murnan 6-2 Paul Whitworth
Andrew Davidson 6-5 Jan Dekker
Steve Maish 6-5 Jason Heaver
Mark Wilson Bye (Les Delderfield eliminated)
Dean Winstanley 6-5 John Scott
Paul Milford 6-1 Chris Jones
Scott Marsh 6-1 Steven Rose
Gary Stone 6-5 Johnny Haines
Rob Cross 6-3 Ken MacNeil
Ryan Harrington 6-1 Glen McGrandle
Josh Payne 6-2 Dave Parletti
 
Second Round
Jeffrey de Graaf 6-5 William O'Connor
Lee Evans 6-2 Rowby-John Rodriguez
Arron Monk 6-4 Robert Thornton
Dean Winstanley 6-4 Kevin Painter
Matt Clark 6-5 Mike De Decker
Joey Ten Berge 6-5 Mark Dudbridge
Brendan Dolan 6-3 Scott Marsh
Ryan Harrington 6-4 Darron Brown
Jamie Caven 6-2 Gary Stone
Mark Frost 6-4 Mark Barilli
Robbie Green 6-3 Yordi Meeuwisse
Ronny Huybrechts 6-4 Jay Foreman
Andy Jenkins 6-5 Wayne Jones
Steve Maish 6-4 Paul Milford
Josh Payne 6-1 Harry Ward
Darren Webster 6-2 Scott Dale
Richie Corner 6-5 Berry van Peer
Alex Roy 6-5 Jeffrey de Zwaan
Barry Lynn 6-4 Brett Claydon
Andrew Davidson 6-4 Cristo Reyes
Matthew Edgar 6-4 Mark Wilson
David Pallett 6-1 Jason Marriott
James Wilson 6-3 Jonny Clayton
Rob Cross 6-4 Wes Newton
Joe Murnan 6-4 Ritchie Edhouse
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4 Peter Hudson
Jermaine Wattimena 6-1 Kevin Dowling
Magnus Caris 6-3 Ben Green
Andy Boulton 6-2 Jonathan Worsley
Ryan De Vreede 6-5 Andrew Gilding
Tony Newell 6-1 Paul Hogan
Stuart Kellett 6-5 Nathan Aspinall
 
Evening Session
Third Round
Adrian Lewis 9-1 Tony Newell
Phil Taylor 9-5 Arron Monk
Gary Anderson 9-7 Dave Chisnall
Michael van Gerwen 9-2 Ryan Harrington
Alan Norris 9-7 Jermaine Wattimena
Simon Whitlock 9-6 Ian White
Mark Webster 9-3 Matthew Edgar
Peter Wright 9-5 Steve Beaton
Joe Cullen 9-1 Mark Frost
James Wilson 9-3 Rene Eidams
Stuart Kellett 9-7 Joey Ten Berge
Ricky Evans 9-5 Andy Boulton
Ryan De Vreede 9-5 Josh Payne
Dirk van Duijvenbode 9-5 Robbie Green
Raymond van Barneveld 9-8 David Pallett
Jelle Klaasen 9-6 Matt Clark
Vincent van der Voort 9-3 Dean Winstanley
Rob Cross 9-8 Jeffrey de Graaf
Jamie Caven 9-7 Lee Evans
Terry Jenkins 9-7 Ronny Huybrechts
Darren Webster 9-5 Andrew Davidson
Mensur Suljovic 9-2 James Wade
Kim Huybrechts 9-1 Steve Maish
Stephen Bunting 9-8 Jamie Lewis
Justin Pipe 9-6 Alex Roy
Joe Murnan 9-8 Gerwyn Price
Kyle Anderson 9-2 Andy Hamilton
Barry Lynn 9-6 Brendan Dolan
Benito van de Pas 9-7 Mervyn King
Michael Smith 9-8 Daryl Gurney
John Henderson 9-4 Magnus Caris
Andy Jenkins 9-5 Richie Corner
 
Saturday March 5
Afternoon Session (12.30pm)
Fourth Round
Main Stage
Benito van de Pas v Simon Whitlock
Peter Wright v Terry Jenkins
Michael van Gerwen v Rob Cross
Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld
 
Stage Two
Jamie Caven v Stephen Bunting
Vincent van der Voort v Andy Jenkins
Adrian Lewis v John Henderson
Gary Anderson v Barry Lynn
 
Stage Three
Joe Cullen v Alan Norris
Mark Webster v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Michael Smith v Stuart Kellett
Joe Murnan v Jelle Klaasen
 
Stage Four
Kim Huybrechts v Justin Pipe
Kyle Anderson v James Wilson
Ricky Evans v Darren Webster
Mark Webster v Dirk van Duijvenbode
 
All games are the best of 17 legs
 
Evening Session (7pm)
Fifth Round
Eight games on two stages
 
Best of 17 legs