REIGNING Betway Premier League champion Raymond van Barneveld and in-form Adrian Lewis are bidding to take a giant leap towards winning Play-Off places when they double up at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham on Thursday. The race to secure semi-final spots at The O2 in three weeks' time intensifies on Thursday as van Barneveld and Lewis double up in Birmingham - with both players knowing that they can end the night inside the top four. The pair sit a point behind Phil Taylor, who currently occupies fourth spot, but have a game in hand which they make up in Birmingham - meaning that they can take the lead in the race for Play-Off places. Van Barneveld takes on World Champion Gary Anderson in his opening clash in Birmingham, before returning to play Lewis later in the night, and after winning his last three matches is in confident mood. "This week is going to be a very tough night, but I still think I can make it into the top four," said van Barneveld. "I've got Gary first and then Adrian and I can't wait. "I'm happy and I believe in my game - there's no doubt about my set-up any more, it's fine. For many years I changed things but the set-up is fine and I can keep everyone under pressure. "I feel fantastic and I'm loving being on the stage again. For the last three or four weeks I've been playing amazing darts and this is an important week for me." Third-placed Anderson could seal a Play-Off place if he defeats van Barneveld in their meeting - having drawn with the Dutchman on Judgement Night as the reigning champion survived in the tournament. "I tried my hardest when I played Barney [on Judgement Night] to put him out of the Premier League - I hit him with everything and he just kept coming back, and it was one of those nights," reflects Anderson. "He's one of the most dangerous players you can play against and I had my chance to put him out - it might come back to haunt me!" Lewis, meanwhile, takes on second-placed Dave Chisnall in the night's opening game before returning for his clash with van Barneveld, and admits: "Every game now is going to be a massive match, a final. "I've got Chizzy and Barney and it's a massive week for me. I haven't lost now in the last four weeks and I'm trying to build on the performances I've had in previous weeks and get the job done." Taylor, meanwhile, takes on league leader Michael van Gerwen as he bids to continue his push for a Play-Off place - but admits that draws with Stephen Bunting and Lewis in his last two games have been frustrating. "My form's coming, it's climbing steadily," said Taylor. "My scoring's okay, not brilliant yet, but it's coming on - but I'm still making mistakes and I can put that right now. "My doubles have got to improve now, I've got no choice. I'm throwing silly points away - I did it against Stephen Bunting and against Adrian Lewis - and I shouldn't be doing it, not with my experience. "I've just got to get my head down and get stuck in. The two points could be massive." Van Gerwen, meanwhile, secured his qualification for the Play-Offs last week with a whitewash of James Wade only to then lose out to Anderson, and he is looking to bounce back against the 16-time World Champion. "I'm excited by it," he said. "Me and Phil always play well against each other and he's been getting back to his best in the last couple of weeks. "We all know we can score well but you have to hit the right doubles at the right moments - I'm feeling confident and I won the last time we played, so I want to beat him again." The night's other game sees Bunting taking on 2009 Premier League champion James Wade, and with the pair three points adrift of the Play-Off places with three games remaining, the former Lakeside Champion admits it is a must-win contest. "I've never been out of the mix and I'll never give in," said Bunting. "I don't even look at the table now, I just need to win my remaining games. "I know I can do it and it's going to be another hard game against James. I'll go to the end, and hopefully I'll qualify for London - that's the plan." Thursday's league night is the last where players compete twice on the evening, with the remaining events in Newcastle and Brighton featuring four games before the top four players progress to compete in the Play-Offs on May 21. Tickets for Thursday's Betway Premier League at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham are still available by calling 0844 338 8000 or online viawww.theticketfactory.com. Betway Premier League Night 13, Thursday April 30 The Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham Dave Chisnall v Adrian Lewis Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson James Wade v Stephen Bunting Michael van Gerwen v Phil Taylor Adrian Lewis v Raymond van Barneveld Tickets: 0844 338 8000 or www.theticketfactory.com Betway Odds Week 13 Match Odds 6/4 Dave Chisnall 7/2 Draw 6/5 Adrian Lewis 2/1 Raymond van Barneveld 4/1 Draw 5/6 Gary Anderson 6/5 James Wade 7/2 Draw 6/4 Stephen Bunting 5/6 Michael van Gerwen 4/1 Draw 2/1 Phil Taylor 6/5 Adrian Lewis 7/2 Draw 6/4 Raymond van Barneveld Outright Tournament Winner Odds 11/10 Michael van Gerwen 4/1 Gary Anderson 9/2 Phil Taylor 8/1 Dave Chisnall 12/1 Adrian Lewis 16/1 Raymond van Barneveld 25/1 James Wade 66/1 Stephen Bunting For other bets and special offers, visitwww.betway.com. Odds above correct at time of writing and may be subject to change.
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MICHAEL VAN GERWEN secured his place in the Betway Premier League Play-Offs with a stunning whitewash of James Wade in Cardiff on Thursday, as wins for Raymond van Barneveld and Stephen Bunting and a draw between Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis left the top-four race wide open. Van Gerwen produced the season's highest average of 116.90 and denied Wade a dart at a double with a scintillating performance in his first of two games at the Motorpoint Arena. The Dutchman also hit seven perfect darts in one leg, five 180s and took out finishes of 105, 154 and 130 as he powered to victory in the season's first whitewash. The victory also mathematically secured van Gerwen's place in next month's Play-Offs at The O2 in London, before he later returned to the stage to take on World Champion Gary Anderson. However, he left to rue missing three darts to claim a draw in a high-quality contest as Anderson edged a 7-5 win to consolidate his position in third place. "I played well tonight and they were both fantastic games," said van Gerwen. "The game against James was an amazing performance and I'm proud of myself. "I'm so happy with how it went. I knew that I was playing quite well but the average was better than I thought so I'm over the moon with that. "In the last game I felt that we both deserved a draw but I gave it away at the end with the three darts to get a point. I did well tonight and didn't play badly but I want to win all my games and it was one of those weeks." Anderson's win saw him bounce back from a disappointing defeat earlier in the night - where he went down 7-1 to Stephen Bunting in his poorest display of the season - to overcome the world number one in a deciding leg. The opening six legs were shared before Anderson defied a van Gerwen 180 to finish a 13-darter to move 4-3 up before breaking throw for the first time by hitting the bull to check out 86. Van Gerwen hit back to level by winning the next two legs, but Anderson finished 130 to claim at least a draw by moving 6-5 up before punishing the Dutchman for missing the bull for a 170 finish and two subsequent dart at double eight as double five gave the Scot both points. "The game against Stephen was one to forget - I might as well have been throwing left-handed - and it was good to get the win against Michael," said Anderson. "Coming into the night you'd have thought that I'd beat Stephen and then struggle against Michael, especially after his first game, but in the first game I couldn't get going. "I'm always up for games against Michael and I'm nipping at his heels and I'll take that. To get two points is a big lift in the table, but I want to keep pushing from here." Bunting's earlier win over Anderson saw him take the first five legs without reply as he capitalised on missed doubles from the Scot, who took out 78 to hit back but saw the St Helens ace take the next two legs to pick up his first win since Week Six. Bunting's performance lifted him to seventh in the table, above Wade, and keep his hopes of capping his debut season with a Play-Off place alive with him sat three points adrift of the top four with three games to play. "To get a 7-1 win is magnificent," said Bunting. "The plan was to get off to a great start, but many times in the game I kicked off a leg with a big score and that helped me through. "Gary's a fantastic player and he didn't play anything like he can, and I think the first leg summed it up with the missed doubles by both of us. "If he'd have taken that then maybe my head would have been shaking, but thankfully my doubles went in today and I got the win." Bunting added: "I don't even look at the league table any more - I know what I've got to do; win the four games, and that's the first one ticked. I've got three games left and I know I can do it." Phil Taylor retains fourth place on 13 points after he drew with Adrian Lewis in Cardiff, with the 30-year-old leading 6-4 before the six-time Premier League champion hit back to share the spoils. The pair both missed chances to break throw as the first eight legs were shared before Lewis broke with a 72 checkout and landed double four to move 6-4 up. Taylor, though, finished double 16 to send the game into a deciding leg and snatched a point by landing tops for a 13-darter. "I'm very happy with a draw," said Taylor. "I missed a few doubles and you can't afford to do that against him, so it feels like a win and a loss at the same time. "My scoring's fine but my doubles aren't quite there and I've got to improve that, but my form's coming. It's climbing steadily but I'm still making mistakes and I can put that right." Lewis sits one point adrift of Taylor going into his two games at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham next week, and admitted: "I'm happy to get a point but not as happy with my performance. "I missed too many doubles early on and hit a few silly shots and Phil took advantage. Fair play to Phil because he dug deep at the end and his last two legs were superb. "He played well but some of my finishes under pressure were good, especially the 147. It's a massive night for me next week and I'm looking forward to it." Reigning champion van Barneveld picked up a third successive victory to continue his title defence with a superb 7-5 win over Dave Chisnall - who led for most of a thrilling contest before being pipped to the post. Chisnall led 2-0 before finishes of 96, 90 - on the bull - and 76 saw van Barneveld reduce the gap to 4-3 before he levelled by taking out double six to break in leg eight. Chisnall immediately broke back as he traded 180s with the Dutchman before posting double eight to lead 5-4, but a brilliant 132 bullseye finish saw van Barneveld square the game. He then finished 85 to win the 11th leg to lead for the first time, before Chisnall - for a second successive leg - traded 180s with his rival in the decider only to miss two darts to claim a draw, as another 90 finish on the bull gave van Barneveld both points. "It was an unreal win," said van Barneveld. "The 132 was amazing and the three bull finishes were extremely important. "For the last three or four weeks I'm playing amazing, hitting good averages and getting the results. "Next week is going to be an important week for me and I'm going to work very hard because I'll know after that if I can qualify for the Play-Offs or not. "I'm playing extremely well and feeling confident, and I'm happy and enjoying myself - because I'm winning. The crowds are behind me and I still believe that I can make the top four." Van Barneveld and Lewis double up with two games each in Birmingham next Thursday, while the world's top two ranked players - van Gerwen and Taylor - also clash in a huge contest. Tickets for the Betway Premier League's visit to the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham on Thursday April 30 are still available and can be purchased by calling 0844 338 8000 or via www.theticketfactory.com. Betway Premier League Night 12, Thursday April 23 Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff Stephen Bunting 7-1 Gary Anderson James Wade 0-7 Michael van Gerwen Raymond van Barneveld 7-5 Dave Chisnall Phil Taylor 6-6 Adrian Lewis Gary Anderson 7-5 Michael van Gerwen MATCH INFORMATION Stephen Bunting v Gary Anderson 1-0 - The pair suffer double trouble, with Anderson missing five doubles to punish six misses from Bunting, who returns to take the leg on double two. 2-0 - Bunting takes out double eight for a break of throw. 3-0 - Double top gives Bunting a three-leg lead. 4-0 - Bunting fires in the game's first 180 before taking out 64 for another break. 5-0 - Anderson opens the leg with his first maximum, but is punished for a miss at double 13 as Bunting checks out 104 on double 18 to win a fifth straight leg. 5-1 - Anderson wins his first leg of the game by taking out 78 on tops. 6-1 - Double 16 sees Bunting secure a point from the game. 7-1 - A 75 finish sees Bunting wrap up victory - his first win since Night Six against Dave Chisnall. James Wade v Michael van Gerwen 0-1 - van Gerwen kicks off the match with a 180 before adding a 140 before taking out 105 for a 12-darter to break throw immediately. 0-2 - The world number one takes out 74 for a 14-darter to double his lead. 0-3 - van Gerwen sets up a possible nine-darter with two 180s, and hits a seventh treble 20 before missing the treble 19 on the 141 combination - but he returns to win the leg in 11 darts to continue his superb start. 0-4 - Double four sees van Gerwen continue his charge with another 14-dart leg - with Wade yet to have a dart at a double. 0-5 - van Gerwen breaks with another 12-darter, taking out 82 on tops. 0-6 - van Gerwen opens with another maximum, his fifth, before denying Wade a dart at a double by taking out a stunning 154 checkout. 0-7 - The Dutchman completes an incredible performance by finishing 130 on double five, ending the game with a seasons-best 116.90 average. Raymond van Barneveld v Dave Chisnall 0-1 - Chisnall claims an immediate break of throw, taking out double six. 0-2 - Chisnall lands the game's first 180 before hitting tops to double his lead. 1-2 - The reigning champion takes out 96 to claim his first leg of the game. 1-3 - Chisnall takes out 64 on double 16 to regain his two-leg cushion. 2-3 - van Barneveld finishes 90 on the bull to hit back once more. 2-4 - Chisnall finishes double ten with his third dart as he moves two legs clear once more. 3-4 - van Barneveld finishes 76 on double 14 to respond. 4-4 - The reigning champion breaks throw on double six to level. 4-5 - The pair trade 180s before Chisnall punishes three missed doubles from van Barneveld, who misses two darts at double 13 and one at double four, by taking out double eight to break back and regain the lead. 5-5 - van Barneveld takes out 132 on the bull with a superb finish as he levels again, with Chisnall waiting on 36. 6-5 - van Barneveld guarantees at least a point with a superb leg, trading 180s with Chisnall but leaving 85 after nine darts before finishing the 85 on tops. 7-5 - Chisnall opens with his fourth maximum of the game and also adds a 140 as he leaves 81 after nine darts, with van Barneveld then landing a 180 to leave 90 - and when Chisnall misses double 12 and six the Dutchman takes out 90 on the bull for the second time in the game to claim the victory. Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis 1-0 - Taylor opens the game with a 180 and takes the first leg by landing tops. 1-1 - Lewis finishes 107 on tops to level. 2-1 - The pair trade 180s before Taylor punishes Lewis for a miss at the bull - to break - by taking out double eight. 2-2 - Taylor this time is unable to break throw as three darts miss double 16, allowing Lewis back in on double 18. 3-2 - Lewis misses two darts at tops as Taylor steps in to hit the same bed to regain the lead. 3-3 - Taylor fires in a 180 to leave 68 as he seeks a break - only for Lewis to take out 147 on double 18. 4-3 - Taylor lands double 16 to edge back ahead. 4-4 - Taylor misses the bull to finish 125 as Lewis again avoids a break. 4-5 - Lewis lands a 180, and when Taylor misses tops he steps in to break for the first time by taking out 72 on double 11. 4-6 - Double four sees Lewis secure at least a point out of the game. 5-6 - Taylor lands double 16 to take the game into a deciding leg. 6-6 - Taylor takes out double top to complete a 13-darter as he scrambles a draw. Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen 1-0 - Anderson lands a 180 before taking the opening leg on double eight. 1-1 - van Gerwen levels by following a maximum with tops. 2-1 - Anderson posts another 180 as he regains the lead. 2-2 - The World Champion hits seven perfect darts, scoring 177 and 180 before hitting another treble 20 - but after he misses out on a nine-darter can only watch as van Gerwen wins the leg in 11 brilliant darts, scoring 123, 140 and 140 before taking out 98. 3-2 - Anderson scores three 140s before taking the leg in 13 darts on double 13. 3-3 - Double nine sees van Gerwen level. 4-3 - van Gerwen fires in a 180, but Anderson regains the lead with tops for a 13-darter. 5-3 - Anderson breaks for the first time, finishing 86 on the bull. 5-4 - Double five sees van Gerwen break back immediately. 5-5 - van Gerwen levels the contest on double five. 6-5 - Anderson moves back ahead in brilliant fashion, finishing 130 on the bull as van Gerwen waited on 32. 7-5 - van Gerwen is first to a finish, but misses the bull to take out 170 and then two subsequent darts at double eight, allowing Anderson to follow up a 180, which left 40, by taking out a third-dart double five to claim the win in dramatic fashion. THE Betway Premier League visits Cardiff on Thursday, as Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson double up at the Motorpoint Arena in their bids to secure places in the Play-Offs. With just four league nights remaining before the top four players qualify for the semi-finals and final at The O2 next month, the visit to Wales can see two of the stars secure top-four finishes. 2013 Premier League champion van Gerwen and Dave Chisnall - the current top two - can both ensure their Play-Off spots on Thursday, while Anderson could go close to mathematically securing a semi-final place if he was to win both of his games. World Champion Anderson opens the night against Stephen Bunting before returning to face world number one van Gerwen in the evening's final game at a sold-out Motorpoint Arena. "I'm giving it my best but the standard of players now is phenomenal and it's getting harder every year, so I can't think about the Play-Offs yet, I've got to concentrate on making the top four first," said Anderson. "I still think I need another two to four points to be safe so it's a big night. I don't mind playing twice and hopefully I can get a good result." Van Gerwen had seen his ten-game unbeaten record ended by Raymond van Barneveld in Aberdeen last week, but plays James Wade and Anderson in Cardiff and knows that he could secure his top four place with at least one win on the night. "It was disappointing to lose last week but it's always hard to be at your best for the whole season," said van Gerwen. "I'm still at the top of the table and this is a new week, and it's a big night to be playing twice. "I've got two important games and I'll have to make sure I'm ready for both of them because James and Gary have played really well this season and you can't afford to give them any chances." High-flying Chisnall could also seal a Play-Off place with a win in Cardiff - but he takes on in-form van Barneveld as the reigning Betway Premier League champion looks to pick up a third straight victory to boost his own semi-final hopes. "Every week's like a final and I have to keep having good results if I'm going to make the top four," said van Barneveld. "There's nothing wrong with my game, the belief is coming back and I'm battling every single week. "I've picked up seven points in the last five weeks when I've been playing against Phil, Michael and Gary, so there's no reason why I can't get a result against Dave. "Dave's having an amazing Premier League so far and he's fantastic. He's had some great performances so far, but he's beatable - Phil beat him last week - and I've got to put him under pressure, and I'm really looking forward to it." The night also sees Stoke rivals Taylor and Adrian Lewis continue their fight to claim a top-four finish as they meet in Cardiff. Taylor bounced back to form by picking up a win and a draw as he doubled up in Aberdeen last week, and he holds fourth place a point ahead of Lewis and two clear of Wade and van Barneveld going into Week 12. "I'm working hard and I'm focused on making the Play-Offs, and with it being so close it's given us all a kick up the backside, which doesn't do you any harm," said Taylor. "The three points last week was really good for me but it's still interesting and I'm concentrating hard." Lewis, meanwhile, is on a three-game winning streak as he travels to Cardiff after reigniting his season with a Judgement Night win over Peter Wright earlier this month. "I'm in the battle but Phil's coming back to form at the right time too," said Lewis. "I was practising with him last week and he's hitting 180s for fun and I think it's going to be between me and him to make the top four. "It's certainly a big game and I'll be up for it, but I've got to go up there and do a job. I'm feeling really confident with my new darts at the moment and I feel like I can beat anybody." Thursday's visit to Wales is a 4,000 sell-out at Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena, before the action continues on Thursday April 30 at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham - tickets are still available via 0844 338 8000 or www theticketfactory.com. Betway Premier League Night 12, Thursday April 23 Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff Stephen Bunting v Gary Anderson James Wade v Michael van Gerwen Raymond van Barneveld v Dave Chisnall Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen Tickets: Sold Out Betway Match Odds 3/1 Stephen Bunting 4/1 Draw 4/7 Gary Anderson 100/30 James Wade 4/1 Draw 8/15 Michael van Gerwen 11/8 Raymond van Barneveld 7/2 Draw 11/8 Dave Chisnall Evens Phil Taylor 7/2 Draw 7/4 Adrian Lewis 15/8 Gary Anderson 4/1 Draw 10/11 Michael van Gerwen Odds courtesy www.betway.com and subject to fluctuation. RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD ended Michael van Gerwen's unbeaten run in the 2015 Betway Premier League with a superb 7-3 defeat of his Dutch rival in Aberdeen, as Phil Taylor got his Play-Off challenge back on track with three points. Reigning Premier League champion van Barneveld repeated his victory over the world number one in last year's final as a clinical performance saw van Gerwen suffer defeat for the first time this season, in his 11th game. Van Gerwen recovered from early missed doubles to hit back from 2-0 down to level and was also all-square at three-all before van Barneveld pulled clear. An 11-dart leg pushed van Barneveld 4-3 up before he punished three uncharacteristic misses at double top from van Gerwen by breaking throw on double ten, before finishes of 78 and another 11-darter sealed victory. "I'm extremely happy and it was a really good game," said van Barneveld. "I was really focused on this game and my finishes helped me, as well as those two 11-darters. "To beat Phil last week and now Michael, I'm really happy. They are the two best players in the world at the moment but I'm playing well and that's seven points from the last five weeks. "Michael's had a tough week but he didn't play that badly. He missed some crucial darts in the second leg but I'm battling hard and I want to get into the top four and win this fantastic Premier League again." Six-time Premier League champion Taylor, meanwhile, bounced back from two successive defeats as he picked up three points from a possible four at the GE Oil & Gas Arena, defeating Dave Chisnall 7-3 before sharing the spoils with Stephen Bunting. Taylor took an early 3-1 lead in his clash with Chisnall, who cut the gap to 4-3 but was unable to level as the Stoke star pulled clear to take the points. Taylor later returned to the stage against Bunting, but spurned ten match darts as he walked away with a draw. Taylor again took a 3-1 advantage and also held a 5-2 cushion before Bunting hit back to level with a 132 checkout. Taylor then finished 64 to move 6-5 up and secure a point, and he first in a 177 in the deciding leg to be first to a finish only to see ten match darts miss their intended target, allowing Bunting to snatch a draw. "I'm really pleased to come up to Aberdeen and take three points," said Taylor. "In the first game I got stuck in because I knew Dave was going to play well and I knew what I was up against, but I'm fighting for survival. "Barney caned me last week but I'm better than that and I had to go out and perform tonight. I'll be there or thereabouts but I think with it being so close it's given us all a kick up the backside and it's interesting." Bunting had earlier suffered a 7-2 defeat to Adrian Lewis as the two-time World Champion continued his revival with a third successive victory. Lewis streaked into a 4-0 lead by punishing some early missed doubles by Bunting, who won two legs from three to hit back before the Stoke ace picked up both points. "I'm happy with that because it was a big game that I didn't want to lose," said Lewis. "Stephen missed a few doubles early on but I was there on his tail, I kept calm and got the job done. "I've done a lot of work on my game recently and it's showing in my results. It puts me in the mix for the top four and I think it will be between me and him for taking a point." The night also saw World Champion Gary Anderson hit back from 6-2 down to claim a draw with James Wade, delighting the sell-out crowd who gave a memorable welcome to the Scottish star. Wade had silenced Anderson's home support by taking a 2-0 lead, with the world number three hitting back to level only to be punished for missed doubles as the left-hander took the next four legs - and finished a brilliant 170 checkout - to claim a point. Anderson, though, hit back strongly to take the next two and punished one missed match dart at tops from Wade by forcing a deciding leg in which he landed a fifth maximum of the game and tops to secure a draw. "I was playing okay but a couple of missed doubles cost me a few legs and the next thing I knew I was 6-2 down and looking at a defeat, so I'll take the point. "I had to stick in after his 170 finish and I got my scoring going again. It was nice to give the fans something to cheer because the fans in Aberdeen create a great atmosphere." 2009 Premier League champion Wade admitted: "It should have been two points but it wasn't. Gary missed a lot of shots but I played okay - I didn't play great - and I'll move on from here." The Betway Premier League continues at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff next Thursday, with Anderson and van Gerwen set to compete twice on the night in Wales. Betway Premier League Night 11, Thursday April 16 GE Oil & Gas Arena, Aberdeen Dave Chisnall 3-7 Phil Taylor Stephen Bunting 2-7 Adrian Lewis James Wade 6-6 Gary Anderson Raymond van Barneveld 7-3 Michael van Gerwen Stephen Bunting 6-6 Phil Taylor Match Information Dave Chisnall v Phil Taylor 1-0 - Chisnall wins the opening leg in style with a 128 checkout, finishing two treble 18s and double ten. 1-1 - Chisnall misses double eight to break throw, allowing Taylor to return from a miss at tops to hit the bed and level. 1-2 - Taylor posts double 16 to break throw and move ahead. 1-3 - The pair trade 180s to leave finishes, with Taylor taking out 81 on the bull to take a two-leg lead. 2-3 - Taylor scores 100, 180 and 177 to leave 44 after nine darts - only to see Chisnall take out 140 for a 12-darter to hit back. 2-4 - Taylor opens with a maximum before finishing double 16 to regain his cushion. 3-4 - Chisnall replies in similar manner, kicking off the leg with his second 180 of the game before double nine sees him respond. 3-5 - Chisnall fires in a 180 to leave 38, but Taylor is already waiting on 24 and finishes double 12 for a 14-darter. 3-6 - Taylor seals at least a point with another 14-dart finish, opening with five perfect darts by scoring 180 and 140 before punishing one miss from Chisnall, at tops, by breaking throw for a second time. 3-7 - Taylor lands a fifth maximum, and when Chisnall misses one more dart at tops the Stoke ace steps in to seal victory on double eight. Stephen Bunting v Adrian Lewis 0-1 - Lewis finishes 81 on the bull to break throw in the opening leg. 0-2 - Bunting sets up 16 with a 168 score, but misses three darts to level as Lewis steps in to finish 68 on double four to move two legs up. 0-3 - Bunting pays for three further missed doubles, allowing Lewis in on double 18 for another break of throw. 0-4 - The pair open with 180s, but Lewis wins a fourth successive leg by landing tops. 1-4 - Bunting misses the bull for a 161 finish, but is able to return and land double eight to get off the mark. 1-5 - Lewis opens with a 177 and punishes two misses from Bunting, who is unable to land darts at double 16 and eight, by finishing double four. 2-5 - Double 16 sees Bunting hit back. 2-6 - Lewis opens with five perfect darts of 180 and 140 before finishing double 12 to secure a minimum of a point. 2-7 - Lewis initially misses double 11 to finish 124, but returns to land double four to complete the win. James Wade v Gary Anderson 1-0 - Anderson opens the game with a 180, but Wade adds a maximum of his own before landing tops for an 11-darter to take the lead. 2-0 - Anderson misses two darts at double 19 to level, and Wade returns on double ten to claim a break of throw. 2-1 - Anderson hits back with a break of throw of his own, landing double ten to get off the mark. 2-2 - Both players open the leg with maximums before Anderson lands double top to level the contest. 3-2 - Wade finishes 46 to regain the lead. 4-2 - Anderson misses two darts at tops to finish 100, and Wade steps in to break throw by hitting the same bed. 5-2 - Anderson lands his third 180 of the night, but again has trouble with double top - missing two further darts at the bed - to allow Wade to cash in once again on tops. 6-2 - Wade takes out a stunning 170 checkout to ensure that he will take at least a point. 6-3 - Anderson fires in a fourth 180 and breaks throw to keep the game alive on double four. 6-4 - Wade lands a 180, but Anderson takes out 81 for an 11-darter to close the gap to two legs. 6-5 - Anderson misses the bull to take out 121, but Wade is unable to land a match dart at tops to complete a 120 combination, allowing the Scot back in on double 12 to claim a point. 6-6 - Anderson posts his fifth 180 of the game to leave 78, before finishing tops to claim a point from a four-leg deficit. Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen 1-0 - Reigning champion van Barneveld takes the opening leg. 2-0 - van Barneveld breaks to double his lead. 2-1 - van Gerwen finishes 87 on double eight to hit back with a break of throw. 2-2 - van Gerwen levels by finishing 12. 3-2 - van Barneveld takes out 92 on double 18 to move back ahead. 3-3 - van Gerwen finishes 121 on double 18 to level. 4-3 - van Barneveld produces a superb 11-darter, hitting two 180s before finishing 41 on double 16. 5-3 - Three misses at double top from van Gerwen are punished as van Barneveld takes out double ten for a 14-darter to break. 6-3 - van Barneveld secures a minimum of a point by finishing 78 on tops 7-3 - van Barneveld scores 180, 140 and 123 before finishing an 11-darter to end van Gerwen's unbeaten run this season. Stephen Bunting v Phil Taylor 0-1 - Taylor opens with three 140 scores, and has enough cushion to initially miss six darts at double 16 before hitting the bed to break throw immediately. 0-2 - Taylor lands a 180 and finishes double 16 to move two legs up. 1-2 - Bunting opens with a maximum before finishing 64 on double eight to get off the mark. 1-3 - Tops sees Taylor regain a two-leg lead. 2-3 - Bunting finishes 63 on double 16 to hit back. 2-4 - Taylor lands a 174 as he regains his cushion. 2-5 - Taylor fires in a 180 and double six to move three legs clear with another break of throw. 3-5 - Bunting posts a 180 and takes out 70 to punish Taylor for a miss at double 16 to complete a 112 combination. 4-5 - Taylor lands a maximum, but Bunting finishes double 16 to continue his revival. 5-5 - Taylor fires in his fourth maximum, only to see Bunting take out 132 on the bull to level the game with his third successive leg. 5-6 - Bunting misses double 16 to move ahead in the game, and Taylor takes out 64 on tops to break throw and secure at least a point. 6-6 - Taylor produces a superb 177 score to leave 88, before a dramatic deciding leg sees him miss ten match darts to allow Bunting back from six misses of his own to claim a draw on double one. Taylor's challenge to win a seventh Premier League title has faltered in recent weeks with four defeats in his last five games, and he faces a St Helens double in Aberdeen as he takes on second-placed Dave Chisnall before meeting Bunting.
Taylor had swept past Bunting 7-1 in Week Three, but was punished for missed doubles against Chisnall a fortnight ago as he fell to a 7-4 reverse. "It's an important night and it could be a big night in terms of the Play-Offs in a few weeks time," said Taylor. "It's always a challenge playing twice but it's one I'm looking forward to because Dave and Stephen have been great this season. "Stephen wasn't at his best when we played last time but he's hung in there and he's still fighting to get into the Play-Offs, and Dave's impressed everyone." Dave Chisnall v Phil Taylor Stephen Bunting v Adrian Lewis James Wade v Gary Anderson Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen Stephen Bunting v Phil Taylor STEPHEN BUNTING is facing a make-or-break night in his bid to win a Betway Premier League Play-Off place when he doubles up alongside Phil Taylor in Aberdeen on Thursday. Bunting sits eighth in the Premier League table on seven points after joining Adrian Lewis and reigning champion Raymond van Barneveld in avoiding elimination a fortnight ago. However, Bunting is only two points away from fourth place, with Taylor, James Wade and Lewis all sat on nine points as the race to win semi-final spots intensifies. Bunting's Play-Off challenge will face a key night at the GE Oil & Gas Arena as he takes on Lewis before returning to the stage later in the evening to face 16-time World Champion Taylor. "It's a huge night," admits the former Lakeside Champion. "I've just got to get up there, play my normal game and enjoy it. "I think I've been putting too much pressure on myself over the last ten weeks in the Premier League and it's time to enjoy it now - I'm still in, after the cut-off, and I want to take my A-game onto that stage and see what I can do. "I've not even looked at the Phil game yet - last time I played Adrian in the Premier League I got the win and I'll be looking to do the same on Thursday. "If I get the two wins it will put me on 11 points and that's the plan because if I can win the two games on Thursday it will put me in a really good position to get into the Play-Offs." Taylor's own challenge to win a seventh Premier League title has faltered in recent weeks with four defeats in his last five games, and he faces a St Helens double in Aberdeen as he takes on second-placed Dave Chisnall before meeting Bunting. Taylor had swept past Bunting 7-1 in Week Three, but was punished for missed doubles against Chisnall a fortnight ago as he fell to a 7-4 reverse. "It's an important night and it could be a big night in terms of the Play-Offs in a few weeks time," said Taylor. "It's always a challenge playing twice but it's one I'm looking forward to because Dave and Stephen have been great this season. "Stephen wasn't at his best when we played last time but he's hung in there and he's still fighting to get into the Play-Offs, and Dave's impressed everyone." Chisnall took a huge step to securing a Play-Off place when he won both of his games in Sheffield last Thursday as he doubled up, and the former Grand Slam of Darts finalist now sits eight points clear of the stars chasing a semi-final spot. "You don't know what's going to happen because there's another five or six games to go, so we'll see what happens but I'm putting in a lot of practice and I'm feeling good when I go on stage," said Chisnall. "I felt really comfortable last week and I played well - I started well and finished well and I want to do that again when I play Phil. "Last time, I started slowly and he let me in but I can't expect that again so I've got to make sure I'm ready for him on Thursday." Lewis is also in confident mood after kick-starting his season with victories over the past two weeks before picking up victories in two out of three Players Championship tournaments staged in Barnsley last weekend. "The weekend was fantastic for me and my finishing under pressure in the last couple of weeks has been good," said Lewis. "I'm on their tails and I'm looking forward to playing Stephen. "Stephen's had a steady tournament. He hasn't taken the league by storm but he's very professional, keeps himself to himself and he's a very good player who's doing a good job." Scottish hero and World Champion Gary Anderson is looking to bounce back from his defeat to Chisnall a week ago when he faces Wade on what he admits will be a memorable occasion. "We only get up to Scotland twice in the Premier League so it's definitely a special night for me," admits Anderson, who sits in third place and has a four-point cushion despite a defeat to Chisnall a week ago. "Getting into the Play-Offs is the aim and with the standard of players now nothing's a given. You saw that by the way Dave Chisnall played last week "James is a superb player and if you get a chance against him you know you've got to take it. When he gets chances, he usually takes them out and he's a player you've got to hit with everything and take out your shots before he does." The night's other clash sees unbeaten league leader van Gerwen taking on Dutch rival van Barneveld, who is hoping to be cheered to glory by the supportive Aberdeen crowd. "I hope the Scots will support me," he said. "It's like a home game for me and the fans there, like in Ireland, Wales, England, Germany and Holland, are fantastic. "Michael's in amazing form at the moment and hopefully I can have a good game against him. I'm fighting to get into that top four and I still believe it can be done. "There are some unbelievable talents but I'm still alive in the competition. The last four weeks have been okay, I've had three ton-plus averages and won five points." Van Gerwen picked up a 7-2 win over van Barneveld when the pair met in Dublin last month, and overcame Bunting 7-5 a week ago to maintain his unbeaten record after ten matches. "The Scottish fans love the darts and it's going to be a fantastic game," said the world number one. "It's special, of course, because it's two top Dutchmen playing against each other. "There's more pressure on him than me because I can relax now, I think I'm already in the semis and he needs to perform to get in there and can't afford any mistakes. I can - but I don't want to make any. "I want to keep focusing on my own performance, and whatever Raymond does is his thing. I just want to put on some more nice performances and I'm trying my best every week." Betway Premier League Night 11, Thursday April 16 GE Oil & Gas Arena, Aberdeen Dave Chisnall v Phil Taylor Stephen Bunting v Adrian Lewis James Wade v Gary Anderson Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen Stephen Bunting v Phil Taylor Tickets: 08444 77 9000 orwww.ticketmaster.co.uk/aecc Betway Match Odds 7/4 Dave Chisnall 4/1 Draw 10/11 Phil Taylor 2/1 Stephen Bunting 4/1 Draw 5/6 Adrian Lewis 3/1 James Wade 4/1 Draw 8/13 Gary Anderson 9/2 Raymond van Barneveld 9/2 Draw 2/5 Michael van Gerwen 5/2 Stephen Bunting 9/2 Draw 8/13 Phil Taylor Odds courtesy www.betway.comand subject to fluctuation. DAVE CHISNALL picked up a brilliant Betway Premier League double in Sheffield to take a huge step towards sealing his Play-Off place, as Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis also picked up wins at the Motorpoint Arena. With the second phase of the tournament kicking off following last week's elimination of Peter Wright and Kim Huybrechts on Judgement Night, Chisnall and James Wade doubled up to compete twice in Sheffield. Whilst Wade was defeated twice, Chisnall produced two outstanding displays as he overcame the left-hander 7-1 with a 114.17 average - his highest ever in a televised game - after earlier seeing off World Champion Gary Anderson 7-3. That double earned Chisnall four league points to strengthen his position in second place in the league table - and crucially give him an eight-point cushion over his rivals battling for a Play-Off place. Chisnall had landed key finishes of 150 and 124 as he turned a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 advantage on his way to victory against Anderson, hitting six 180s and a 106.91 average. He was in even more dominant form on his return to the stage against Wade, limiting the 2009 champion to only two darts at a double in a performance which saw his average second only to Phil Taylor in Premier League history. Chisnall took the first five legs without reply and had missed double 12 for a 138 finish before Wade took leg six by finishing 62 - but the left-hander's fightback was short-lived as the St Helens ace posted a fifth 180 of the game in a 12-darter and double ten for a 14-darter to complete the win. "It's nice to get two wins because it was always going to be hard," said Chisnall. "I felt comfortable throughout the night and I got a great start by defeating Gary. "It was always going to be a confidence boost beating the World Champion and I just wanted to take the same game up on stage against James, which I did. "I've done my job by winning two out of two, and I played well - importantly I finished well tonight. I felt good up on stage but I've put a lot of practice in and it's all working out. "This time last year I was on seven points, so it's a big improvement to be up to 17 already!" Chisnall now sits just one point behind the unbeaten league leader van Gerwen, who edged out Stephen Bunting 7-5 in their Sheffield encounter. Bunting hit back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3 and 5-4, but he paid for missing a dart at the bull to claim a point in leg ten when van Gerwen levelled on double nine, hit two 180s to break throw with a 12-darter and then took out 70 for the win. "I wasn't at my best tonight but I got the win and another two points so I'm happy with that," said van Gerwen. "I missed a lot of doubles but I produced the darts when I needed to. "I let Stephen back into the game and he scored well, but at five-all I wanted to have one big leg and I started with 180 and 180, and the 12-darter was amazing for me and very important." Wade's defeat to Chisnall compounded a disappointing night for the world number six, who also went down 7-4 to Adrian Lewis as the Stoke ace joined the left-hander and Taylor on nine league points in joint fourth place. Lewis' win followed up his defeat of Wright to ensure that he avoided elimination a week ago, and has kick-started his own bid to claim a semi-final spot. "I was happy with that win," said Lewis. "James wasn't at his best tonight but I did the job and it's a good win for me. "I scored pretty consistently and kept the pressure on James, and when I needed a finish it went - some of my two-dart finishes were very good. I'm in contention for the top four now and I'm on the tails of the top four now." Reigning champion van Barneveld sits just one point behind the trio on nine points after he overcame great rival Taylor 7-2 as the Stoke great suffered a fourth defeat in five matches. Taylor had hit back from 2-0 down to trail just 3-2, but missed five darts to level the match in a key sixth leg and also missed tops in the seven as van Barneveld pulled clear to complete his first 'Premier League double' over the 16-time World Champion. "To beat the best player in the world 7-2 is a dream and I'm extremely happy," said van Barneveld. "Phil didn't play as well as he can and he missed a lot of doubles, which leg me in, but I was surprised by his game because we all know what he can play like. I had to keep trying to hit my treble 20s and take my chances when he gave me them. "I was really focused because in all these years in the Premier League I'd only got two draws against Phil in the league stage but this year I've won twice, and in the last four weeks I've been playing okay. "I'm fighting to get into the top four, and after tonight I believe it can be done." The Betway Premier League continues at the GE Oil & Gas Arena in Aberdeen, with Taylor and Bunting playing twice on the night and World Champion Anderson up against Wade on home soil. Betway Premier League Night Ten, Thursday April 9 Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield Adrian Lewis 7-4 James Wade Gary Anderson 3-7 Dave Chisnall Phil Taylor 2-7 Raymond van Barneveld Stephen Bunting 5-7 Michael van Gerwen Dave Chisnall 7-1 James Wade MATCH INFORMATION Adrian Lewis v James Wade 1-0 - Wade lands a 162 score but misses four darts at doubles to break throw, allowing Lewis back to land double nine to claim the opening leg at his seventh attempt. 2-0 - Lewis fires in a 180 before finishing tops to break. 3-0 - Lewis wins a third successive leg to continue his fine start. 3-1 - Wade replies on double ten. 3-2 - The 2009 champion breaks throw with a 106 finish to continue his revival. 4-2 - Lewis breaks back, opening with a 180 before landing tops. 4-3 - Wade replies with a 14-darter, taking out 86 to reduce the gap to one leg once more. 4-4 - Lewis lands a maximum, but Wade finishes double four to level the game. 5-4 - Lewis fires in his fourth 180 of the game before hitting double top to edge back ahead. 6-4 - Wade misses the bull to finish 161, and Lewis takes out 67 in two darts to break and secure at least a draw. 7-4 - Lewis takes out 110 on tops to claim the victory. Gary Anderson v Dave Chisnall 1-0 - Anderson finishes 60 on tops to take the opening leg. 1-1 - The pair trade 180s before Chisnall finishes double four to level. 2-1 - Chisnall misses tops to break throw, and Anderson returns on double five to move back ahead. 2-2 - Chisnall finishes a superb 150 checkout to hit back once more. 2-3 - Chisnall fires in a 180 before finishing 48 on double 16 to break and move in front. 2-4 - Chisnall lands another maximum before posting double four to win a third successive leg. 2-5 - Chisnall takes out 124 on double 11 to move three legs clear. 3-5 - Anderson opens with a 180, with Chisnall then landing two maximums only to miss a pair of darts at double 16, allowing the World Champion in on tops for an 11-darter. 3-6 - The pair again trade 180s, but Anderson is punished for two misses at tops as Chisnall seals at least a point with double 16. 3-7 - Chisnall completes victory with a supeb 14-darter, ending the game with a 106.91 average as he completes a seasonal double over Anderson. Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld 0-1 - van Barneveld lands a 180 and breaks by finishing 48 on double 16. 0-2 - The reigning Premier League champion doubles his lead by taking out 40 on double ten. 1-2 - Taylor replies by finishing 68 on double seven. 1-3 - van Barneveld finishes 92 on double 16 to move two legs clear again. 2-3 - Taylor finishes double 16 with his third dart as he replies. 2-4 - The pair both miss doubles across two visits, with five misses from Taylor punished by van Barneveld on double eight. 2-5 - van Barneveld lands a 180, and when Taylor misses tops to finish 114, the Dutchman steps in to hit the same bed. 2-6 - The reigning champion seals at least a point, landing a 180 and double eight. 2-7 - Taylor misses the bull to finish 170, and van Barneveld takes out double ten to complete the win - and take a league double over his great rival. Stephen Bunting v Michael van Gerwen 1-0 - Bunting finishes 34 as he wins the opening leg. 1-1 - van Gerwen takes out 40 to level. 1-2 - The league leader lands his first 180 before punishing three missed doubles from Bunting to finish tops to break and move ahead. 1-3 - van Gerwen opens with 140 and 180 before landing double eight to move two legs clear. 2-3 - van Gerwen misses double 13 to finish 146, allowing Bunting to reply on double five. 3-3 - The Dutchman posts a 180 but misses double 18, as Bunting steps in to level by finishing 64. 4-3 - Bunting regains the lead, hitting a third 180 before finishing 69 on double 16. 4-4 - Double 17 sees van Gerwen level. 5-4 - Bunting opens with a 180 before finishing 72 on double 16 to move back ahead. 5-5 - Bunting fires in his fifth 180 of the game, but misses the bull as van Gerwen takes out 61 on double nine. 5-6 - van Gerwen sets up a possible nine-darter by opening with two 180s, and though he is unable to take out 141 he returns on double five for a 12-darter to remain unbeaten this season. 5-7 - van Gerwen, with the advantage of throw, takes out 70 in two darts on double eight to claim the win. Dave Chisnall v James Wade 1-0 - Chisnall takes out 81 on the bull to claim the opening leg. 2-0 - Chisnall posts two 180s before finishing 83 to break throw and double his lead. 3-0 - Double ten sees Chisnall take a third successive leg. 4-0 - Chisnall posts a 168 score to leave 16 before double eight seals another break of throw - maintaining an average of almost 116. 5-0 - Another maximum helps Chisnall win a fifth leg, although Wade misses double 13 to finish 81 to allow his rival in on double eight. 5-1 - Chisnall opens with a 180, but misses double 12 to finish 138 to allow Wade in to take out 62 on tops to claim his first leg. 6-1 - Chisnall fires in his fifth 180 of the game before taking out 87 on double 18 to seal a point. 7-1 - Double ten seals a superb victory for Chisnall, who averages 114.17 - his highest ever on television and the second highest by any player this season. THE race to win places in the Betway Premier League Play-Offs begins in earnest in Sheffield on Thursday, as Stephen Bunting, Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld put aside their brush with elimination to target top-four finishes. Following the excitement of last Thursday's Judgement Night in Manchester, where Kim Huybrechts and Peter Wright were knocked out of the £700,000 tournament, the remaining eight players start the run-in to next month's Play-Offs. The stars will face each other once more during the remaining six league nights before the top four progress to the semi-finals - with the next four weeks seeing two players competing twice per night. Thursday sees Dave Chisnall - who sits joint second on 13 points following a superb first half of the season - in action twice at the Motorpoint Arena, as he takes on World Champion Gary Anderson before returning to take on 2009 Premier League winner James Wade, who also doubles up. "It's a big night for me," admits Chisnall, who defeated Phil Taylor 7-4 in Manchester last week and is two points adrift of league leader Michael van Gerwen. "It's always a challenge when you play twice, but Gary's having a great season and James has been back to his best in the last year too. "I started a bit slowly last week and missed a few doubles, but generally my doubles have been good this season. "I don't feel I've been at my best yet and I've got away with a couple of wins, so if I can improve a little then hopefully I'll keep getting the results and stay up there in the table." Van Barneveld's draw with Gary Anderson in a high-quality Judgement night encounter secured the reigning champion's status in the event, and the Dutchman is now looking to complete a league double over Taylor. Van Barneveld defied a stunning 115 average to claim a 7-4 win over Taylor three weeks ago in Glasgow, and admitted that the clash with his great rival is an ideal way to kick-start his battle for a Play-Off place. "I'm happy to have gone through to the rest of the season but it's going to be very hard from here to get into the top four," said van Barneveld, who sits three points adrift of Wade and Taylor. "I can't see why I can't make the semi-finals but I've got to win more matches. Every game's like a final from here and every point is important. "Games against players like Phil, Michael and Gary, though, seem to bring the best out of me and I averaged over 100 in each of the last three games, but I want to play like that every single week." Lewis, meanwhile, faces Wade in the opening game in Sheffield as he bids to draw level with the left-hander on nine points in the table after kick-starting his season with a win which saved his own status and eliminated Wright a week ago. "The next six weeks are going to be fantastic and I'm really looking forward to it," said Lewis. "I've played my bonus card, so let's see what happens now. "I've been working really hard, and in a good way with the Premier League if you lose you can come back the following week and try to put things right - but it's tough because you're playing the best players in the world." The night in Sheffield also sees Stephen Bunting celebrating his 30th birthday with a clash against the unbeaten league leader van Gerwen, with the St Helens ace having secured his survival in the event with a draw that knocked out Huybrechts last week. "Every point could be massive over the next few weeks and I want to push towards the top four," said Bunting. "I'm going to put a lot of groundwork in on the practice board because I still don't feel like I'm 100 percent, and hopefully I can get the two points this week. "This is my debut [season] and it was always going to be nervous but hopefully I can push into the top four now. I'll be trying my best and we'll see how the next weeks progress." Van Gerwen followed up his win over Wade last week by continuing his incredible 2015 so far by winning the German Darts Masters event in Munich over the Easter weekend, and the Dutchman is full of confidence ahead of the visit to Sheffield. "I've been unbeaten for the first half of the season so I don't see why I can't be unbeaten for the second half too," said van Gerwen. "I'm loving my darts at the moment and I want to keep winning but I have to keep working hard. "I'm looking forward to playing every game, no matter who I play. The pressure is off Stephen a bit now so he will want to play well and it will be a good game on Thursday." Over 7,000 tickets have been sold for Thursday's Betway Premier League at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, with a small number still remaining available by calling 0114 256 5656 or online viawww.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk. Betway Premier League Night Ten, Thursday April 9 Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield Adrian Lewis v James Wade Gary Anderson v Dave Chisnall Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld Stephen Bunting v Michael van Gerwen Dave Chisnall v James Wade Tickets: 0114 256 5656 orwww.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk Betway Match Odds 11/8 Adrian Lewis 7/2 Draw 11/8 James Wade 4/6 Gary Anderson 4/1 Draw 11/4 Dave Chisnall 4/7 Phil Taylor 4/1 Draw 3/1 Raymond van Barneveld 9/2 Stephen Bunting 5/1 Draw 2/5 Michael van Gerwen 13/8 Dave Chisnall 7/2 Draw 11/10 James Wade Odds courtesy www.betway.com and subject to fluctuation. THE superstars of the darting world will take to the stage at the Qantas Credit Union Arena from August 20-22 for the third staging of the
The World Series of Darts event is one of five being staged by the Professional Darts Corporation worldwide during 2015, and will see eight of the sport's top players line up against eight Oceanic qualifiers. New World Champion Gary Anderson, current world number one Michael van Gerwen and reigning Sydney Darts Masters champion Phil Taylor - who has won both previous stagings in 2013 and 2014 - will head the field of competitors in the three-day event. They will be joined by former World Champions Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld, 2014 World Championship finalist Peter Wright, eight-time major champion James Wade and former Lakeside Champion Stephen Bunting - last year's runner-up in Sydney - in taking on eight top names from the Oceanic region in the first round. The tournament will kick off with the eight first round games on Thursday August 20, with the quarter-finals following on Friday August 21 before the semi-finals and final sees the tournament conclude on Saturday August 22. Tickets are available on "My Ticketek Pre-Sale" from Friday March 20 to 5pm on Sunday March 22 Tickes are on General Sale from 10am on Monday March 23 Tickets can be purchased from the Qantas Credit Union Arena through the following methods: In Person through all Ticketek outlets Online through Ticketek at www.ticketek.com.au via this link. Telephone by calling Ticketek on 132 849 This venue will have an alcohol-free area and fans wishing to purchase tickets in this area should request these tickets when ordering. Prices below include payment processing fees. Transaction fees will also apply. 2015 Sydney Darts Masters Qantas Credit Union Arena, 35 Harbour Street, Darling Harbour, NSW200 Thursday August 20 (8pm) 8x First Round Matches Table Seat: $79.67 Tiered Seat: $59.28 Friday August 21 (8pm) 4x Quarter-Final Matches Table Seat: $84.77 Tiered Seat: $64.38 Saturday August 22 (8pm) Semi-Finals & Final Table Seat: $89.87 Tiered Seat: $69.48 Season Ticket (All Sessions) Table Seat: $194.11 Tiered Seat: $152.72 * Please note revised (& final, on-sale) prices announced on March 20 2015. Standard PDC Terms & Conditions of ticket sales apply. For more information,click here. For further information about the Qantas Credit Union Arena, click here. KIM HUYBRECHTS and Peter Wright were eliminated from the Betway Premier League on a dramatic Judgement Night in Manchester, as reigning champion Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis survived to compete in the second half of the season. Thursday's ninth league night of the tournament completed the opening set of round-robin fixtures, after which the bottom two players were knocked out. Five of the ten stars went into Judgement Night facing the prospect of elimination, with Kim Huybrechts needing to take a victory to keep alive his hopes. However, the Belgian missed three match darts as he drew with Stephen Bunting, a result which saw Huybrechts agonisingly drop out of the event as the St Helens ace survived. Adrian Lewis then defeated Peter Wright 7-4 as he sealed his status in the tournament, before van Barneveld's draw with Gary Anderson saw Wright eliminated on leg difference. Reigning champion van Barneveld produced a fine display to hold off a 108 average from World Champion Anderson as they shared the points in a high-quality contest which also featured 12 maximums. Anderson shared the opening six legs as he posted legs of 13, 12 and 12 darts before van Barneveld took out 122 for a break of throw and then landed double nine to move 5-3 up. The Dutchman replied to a 71 finish from Anderson with a 91 checkout to secure the draw which preserved his Premier League status, but the Scot hit back to win the final two legs and claim a point. "I'm happy with the draw," said van Barneveld. "In the last three games I had the top three players in the world - Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson - but I got the three points that I needed in the end. "There was a lot of pressure because we were the last game on and Adrian did what he had to do earlier. I knew what I had to do, get a draw at least, and it's in your mind. "Gary played so well but the 122 was crucial and I thought I was going to win after that, but I missed one or two doubles and he deserved the draw. "I didn't want to lose tonight and go out after being the winner last year, but I'm happy to be in the next phase and I can't wait to play the remaining games." Anderson's point maintains his status in the league's top three, and he said: "I thought I played alright and Raymond had to work for it tonight. "I didn't know what the situation was - I thought Raymond needed to win - because I need points for myself and to keep up with Michael van Gerwen because I want to finish in the top four." Earlier, Lewis had ensured his survival and dealt a killer blow to Wright's hopes with a 7-4 win from their clash. The two-time World Champion shared the opening six legs - taking out a showpiece 100 with two double tops in leg three - before finding an extra gear in the second half of the match. He took out 106 and then secured the first break of throw by finishing 88, and double top moved him 6-3 up to secure a minimum of a draw. Wright took out a stunning 170 finish to bring the 9,000-strong Manchester crowd to its feet, but the fightback was short-lived when he missed double 16 in the next leg, allowing Lewis to take out tops for a huge win. "I treated it like a first round, knockout match and I got the job done so I'm over the moon," said Lewis. "When Peter took out the 170 I thought it was going to sum up my league, but I managed to get the win. "My scoring was a bit hit and miss but my finishing - which has let me down in recent weeks - has come together tonight. I've been putting in six hours a day practising on my finishing and it showed. "If I can get a bit of momentum now over the next few weeks I want to push towards the top four." Belgian star Huybrechts came agonisingly close to extending his own debut Premier League season before he was eliminated by a draw against Bunting in another dramatic contest. Huybrechts had to win the clash - and hope that Lewis and van Barneveld lost - if he was to avoid the axe and made a brilliant start by winning the opening three legs and taking a 4-1 lead. Bunting pulled back to trail just 5-4 before Huybrechts edged away on double eight - but he crucially missed one match dart, at the bull, in leg 11 before seeing two darts at doubles go begging in the deciding leg as the St Helens man ended his hopes. "Kim's a good friend and I feel sorry for him that he's going out because he's done well in the Premier League on his debut this season," said Bunting. "I knew before the game that I only needed two legs but I was going for the win. "At the start of the game Kim put the pressure on me and it was always going to be difficult after going 3-0 down. This is my first Premier League and this was something new for me, and I was really nervous, so I'm so happy. "The aim tonight was to stay in but also not to lose so this point could be massive going into the rest of the season." In the night's opening game, league leader Michael van Gerwen extended his unbeaten run to nine matches this season with a 7-4 defeat of James Wade. Both players averaged just over 100 in the game, but van Gerwen's finishing proved the difference as he took the points. Wade hit back from 3-0 down to close the gap to 4-3 at one stage, finishing 132 on the bull along the way, but the Dutchman took three of the final four legs to seal victory. "I wasn't at my best but I got the win, which was the most important thing," said van Gerwen. "When you're feeling comfortable, even 80 or 90 percent of what you can do might be enough and I did enough to win. "I hit doubles at the right times and I think I deserved to win the game tonight. I'm enjoying the season so far and I want to stay at the top." Dave Chisnall strengthened his place inside the top four with a fine comeback from 3-0 and 4-2 down to defeat Phil Taylor 7-4, punishing the 16-time World Champion for uncharacteristically missing 15 darts at a double during the contest. Taylor took the first three legs under little pressure from Chisnall, who took out 112, on the bull, and 96 to hit back to 3-2. Double two moved Taylor 4-2 up, but missed doubles let Chisnall in on double 16 before he levelled on double five, and the 2014 Grand Slam runner-up then landed two 11-darters as he took the next three legs to sweep to victory. "I started very slowly but pulled it out at the end," said Chisnall. "Phil missed a few doubles and I capitalised on it and fortunately I got the win. "My scoring wasn't brilliant but I finished well. I've not beaten Phil for a while and even though he wasn't at his best I'll take the win and I'm happy. "To be up there in the top four even though I've not been at my best is not bad - people were tipping me to be eliminated so I've proved them wrong so far!" The Betway Premier League will continue next Thursday in Sheffield as the players begin the second phase of the season by taking part in the first of six further league nights before May's Play-Offs. Tickets can still be purchased from the Motorpoint Arena Box Office by calling 0114 256 5656 or online via www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk. The fixtures for the remaining league nights will be confirmed atwww.pdc.tv in due course. Betway Premier League Judgement Night, Thursday April 2 The Manchester Arena Michael van Gerwen 7-4 James Wade Phil Taylor 4-7 Dave Chisnall Stephen Bunting 6-6 Kim Huybrechts Adrian Lewis 7-4 Peter Wright Gary Anderson 6-6 Raymond van Barneveld MATCH INFORMATION Michael van Gerwen v James Wade 1-0 - van Gerwen takes out 65 on tops to take the opening leg. 2-0 - The Dutchman breaks by finishing tops for a 14-darter. 3-0 - van Gerwen lands his first 180 of the game before posting double ten for a 13-darter to move three legs clear. 3-1 - van Gerwen opens with a maximum, but Wade lands a 180 of his own to set up a 64 finish, as double top sees him hit back. 4-1 - Double 18 sees the league leader regain his three-leg lead. 4-2 - Wade wins his second leg in superb style by finishing 303 in six darts, scoring 171 before taking out 132 on the bull. 4-3 - Wade breaks by finishing 84 on double 12 to reduce the gap to one leg. 5-3 - van Gerwen breaks back with a 14-darter, opening with a maximum before landing double eight. 6-3 - Tops sees van Gerwen claim a minimum of a point to extend his unbeaten record. 6-4 - Double ten sees Wade hit back. 7-4 - Wade misses double seven to finish 86 to continue his challenge, and van Gerwen lands double ten to seal victory. Phil Taylor v Dave Chisnall 1-0 - Double 16 gives Taylor the opening leg. 2-0 - Taylor initially misses two doubles for the leg, but returns to eventually land double one to break throw. 3-0 - Chisnall's below-par start continues as Taylor lands double eight to win a third straight leg. 3-1 - Chisnall gets off the mark by finishing 112 on the bullseye. 3-2 - Taylor is punished for missed doubles as Chisnall takes out 96 in two darts to break throw and cut the gap to one leg. 4-2 - Taylor lands double two to break back, moving two legs ahead once more. 4-3 - Chisnall misses double 16 - but Taylor is unable to land double top, ten or five as he chases his finish around the board, allowing his rival back in on double 16 for a 14-darter to break. 4-4 - Chisnall lands his first 180 of the game, and finishes double five to level the game. 4-5 - Chisnall moves ahead with a superb 11-darter, scoring another 180 before finishing 47 on double 16. 4-6 - Taylor misses the bull to finish 161, and Chisnall lands double five to secure at least a draw from the game - winning a fourth successive leg. 4-7 - Chisnall opens with a 180 and leaves 55 after nine darts before finishing double ten to claim the win with another 11-dart leg. Stephen Bunting v Kim Huybrechts 0-1 - Bunting misses two darts at double 16, and Huybrechts steps in to break throw immediately on double six. 0-2 - Bunting lands a 180, but Huybrechts finishes 48 to double his lead. 0-3 - Huybrechts' superb start continues as he scores 171 before finishing 68 on double 18 to punish another miss at double 16 from the St Helens ace. 1-3 - Bunting finishes double 12 to win his first leg. 1-4 - Huybrechts misses the bull to finish 164, but Bunting is unable to land tops as the Belgian returns on double eight. 2-4 - Bunting posts double eight to win his second leg of the game - ensuring that he cannot be eliminated on the night. 3-4 - Bunting lands his second maximum before punishing a missed bullseye from Huybrechts to post double five. 3-5 - Huybrechts regains his cushion by finishing double eight. 4-5 - Huybrechts fires in a 171 score to leave 36 - but three misses at double 18 allow Bunting in on tops to prevent a break in a potentially key leg for the Belgian's hopes of claiming a win. 4-6 - Double 16 sees Huybrechts secure at least a draw - but he needs the victory to keep alive his hopes of avoiding elimination. 5-6 - Bunting misses the bull for a 161 finish, only for Huybrechts to then miss the bull to finish 121 for victory - allowing his rival in on double eight. 6-6 - Bunting opens the deciding leg with two 180s to set up a possible nine-darter, and though he misses a seventh treble 20 he leaves 16 after nine darts - but misses three darts at doubles, only for Huybrechts to miss double 14 and seven to take the win, with Bunting returning to take out double two with his third dart as he claims a draw and knocks out the Belgian. Stephen Bunting is safe, Kim Huybrechts is eliminated. Adrian Lewis v Peter Wright 1-0 - Wright misses double 15 to finish 150, and Lewis lands tops to claim the opening leg. 1-1 - Lewis hits a 174 score to leave 98, but Wright finishes 96 on double 18 to level. 2-1 - Lewis takes out 100 with a showpiece two double tops to edge back in front. 2-2 - Double nine sees Wright hit back. 3-2 - Lewis hits the game's first 180 before taking out 80 to move back ahead. 3-3 - Wright opens with a 180 but the leg ends dramatically, with both players missing the bull before Lewis misses two further doubles, allowing Wright in on double 16 to avoid a break of throw. 4-3 - Lewis takes out 106 as he edges himself into the lead. 5-3 - Lewis breaks for the first time by taking out 88 on double seven. 6-3 - Lewis opens with a 180 before finishing tops to ensure a minimum of a draw - but a win would secure safety and leave Wright in the elimination battle. 6-4 - Lewis sets up 40 to take victory - only to watch Wright take out a 170 checkout to keep the game alive in stunning fashion! 7-4 - Wright opens with a 180, but misses one dart at double 16 to send the game into a decider to allow Lewis back in on tops for a win which secures his Betway Premier League survival. Adrian Lewis is safe, Peter Wright is eliminated if Raymond van Barneveld draws with, or defeats, Gary Anderson. Gary Anderson v Raymond van Barneveld 1-0 - Anderson makes a brilliant start, landing two 180s in a 13-darter to take the opening leg on dobule 18. 1-1 - van Barneveld lands a 180 of his own and levels on double eight. 2-1 - The pair trade maximums before Anderson finishes 85 on double five for a 12-darter. 2-2 - Double ten helps the reigning champion to level. 3-2 - Once again the duo swap 180s before Anderson takes out 81 on double 13 for another 12-darter. 3-3 - van Barneveld levels once again, this time landing double eight. 3-4 - The Dutch star takes out 122 on double seven as he claims the game's first break of throw to move ahead. 3-5 - The duo swap maximums for a third time in the game, before van Barneveld finishes double nine to move two legs clear - and one leg away from safety. 4-5 - Anderson finishes 71 on double top to hit back. 4-6 - van Barneveld takes out 91 on tops to claim the draw which secures his status and eliminates Peter Wright! 5-6 - Anderson opens with two 180s, and though he is unable to complete a nine-dart finish he returns on double ten to send the game into a decider. 6-6 - van Barneveld opens the final leg with 180 and 140 but is unable to close out the win as Anderson takes out double 19 for a draw. Raymond van Barneveld's draw means that Peter Wright is eliminated. |
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