PHIL TAYLOR secured his place in the Betway Premier League Play-Offs with a win over Robert Thornton in Bournemouth on Thursday, as Michael van Gerwen all but qualified for next month's semi-finals with two victories on the south coast.
Taylor followed up his whitewash of Thornton earlier this season with a 7-2 success in front of a sell-out 3,500 fans at the Bournemouth International Centre, which included former England footballer Paul Gascoigne, to extend his brilliant unbeaten run to 12 matches. The six-time Premier League champion has now secured his place in next month's Play-Offs at The O2 in London, and has achieved his first aim of 2016 after missing out on the top four for the first time in the event's history last year. "I'm very happy to have qualified for the Play-Offs because with the field that we've got it's hard work," said Taylor. "I'm over the moon to be at The O2, it was the aim at the start of the season and it's sent a message out to the rest of the players. "I want to push on now and make sure that I finish top and I'll keep working hard. This wasn't my best performance and it was difficult but I got the win and that was all that mattered." Van Gerwen, meanwhile, followed up a fine 7-2 win over Peter Wright in the night's opening fixture before edging out Adrian Lewis 7-5 - after the Stoke ace took out 142 in hitting back from 4-1 down to level - to also extend his unbeaten streak to 12 games. The Dutchman now sits six points clear of James Wade with three games remaining in the league season, meaning that he needs just a point from his clash with the left-hander in Birmingham next week the mathematically secure his Play-Off spot. "Getting the four points was the most important thing and I'm really pleased with that but I wanted to play better," said van Gerwen. "I did my job and I knew that the game against Adrian was very important and maybe I was trying too hard, so need to relax. "I've worked really hard but it's not finished yet and I'll look forward to next week and prepare for James Wade. I feel fantastic and I'll play better next week. "I want to win everything and I don't like losing, so I'm doing everything I can to finish at the top of the table and I won't give up on that." Reigning Premier League champion Gary Anderson paid the price for missing six match darts against James Wade as the 2009 winner clawed his way back from 6-3 down to claim a draw which sees him remain a point behind the Scot and Lewis in the hunt for a top-four spot. "I'm really happy with the point," said Wade, who remained fifth. "Gary missed a few doubles at the end and I'm sure he's disappointed, I think the draw was about right. "I'm trying to relax and enjoy it - there were two or three games that I should have won and I didn't, which would have put me six points in front of where I am - but I'm not so I'm going to relax, enjoy myself and see how it goes." Raymond van Barneveld kept alive his hopes of breaking into the top four with a second successive victory, with a key 141 checkout for the only break of throw in his clash with Lewis helping him to a 7-4 victory. "It's a good two points," said the Dutchman, who turned 49 on Wednesday. "Last week I said to myself that maybe I wasn't going to make the top four, and even though I can I was more relaxed this week. "Adrian wasn't at his best but I'm happy with the win. If I keep on winning my matches then maybe I can still get into the top four but I've got to see how it goes from week to week." The Betway Premier League continues next Thursday at The Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham, where both Anderson and Wright will compete twice on the night as the eight stars continue to compete for places in May's Play-Offs. Tickets for the Betway Premier League at The Barclaycard Arena are still available by calling 0844 338 8000 or online via www.theticketfactory.com. Betway Premier League Night 12 - April 21 Bournemouth International Centre Michael van Gerwen 7-2 Peter Wright Raymond van Barneveld 7-4 Adrian Lewis Gary Anderson 6-6 James Wade Phil Taylor 7-2 Robert Thornton Adrian Lewis 5-7 Michael van Gerwen Best of 12 legs League Table After Night 12 P W D L +/- LWAT Pts Phil Taylor 13 10 2 1 +35 29 22 Michael van Gerwen 13 8 4 1 +29 31 20 Gary Anderson 12 6 3 3 +8 20 15 Adrian Lewis 13 7 1 5 +5 27 15 James Wade 13 6 2 5 +1 25 14 Raymond van Barneveld 13 5 1 7 -1 22 11 Peter Wright 12 4 3 5 -9 17 11 Robert Thornton 13 2 2 9 -28 10 6 Dave Chisnall (E) 9 1 1 7 -14 17 3 Michael Smith (E) 9 1 1 7 -26 15 3 MATCH INFORMATION Michael van Gerwen v Peter Wright 1-0 - van Gerwen lands a 180 to set up 64 before landing double 16 to take the opening leg. 2-0 - Two misses from Wright allow van Gerwen in to break with a 72 checkout. 2-1 - Wright breaks back immediately by finishing 70. 3-1 - van Gerwen secures another break of throw, taking out 86 on double 16. 4-1 - Both players kick off with five perfect darts, landing a 180 and two further treble 20s, before van Gerwen finishes 47 on double 16 for an 11-darter to move three legs clear. 4-2 - Wright lands a 180 and double ten to respond. 5-2 - van Gerwen has enough breathing space to initially miss four darts at doubles before returning on double ten. 6-2 - van Gerwen lands his third 180 before finishing double 16 to ensure a minimum of a draw. 7-2 - The Dutchman secures the win by landing double 16. Raymond van Barneveld v Adrian Lewis 1-0 - van Barneveld lands a 180 and double four to win the opening leg. 1-1 - Lewis fires in three 140s before double eight sees him level. 2-1 - Double 16 edges the Dutchman back ahead. 2-2 - Lewis levels by taking out 40, although he switches to double 15 after landing double five with a dart at tops. 3-2 - Another 32 checkout sees van Barneveld regain the lead. 4-2 - The Dutchman produces a brilliant 12-darter to break throw, scoring 180 and 141 in successive visits during a superb leg. 5-2 - Double eight sees van Barneveld claim a third successive leg to pull clear. 5-3 - Four missed doubles from the 2014 champion allow Lewis back on double ten. 6-3 - van Barneveld finishes 110 to secure a minimum of a draw. 6-4 - Lewis hits back to keep alive his hopes of claiming a point. 7-4 - Double four sees van Barneveld secure his second successive win. Gary Anderson v James Wade 1-0 - Anderson finishes 42 on tops to claim the opening leg. 2-0 - The reigning champion breaks throw by finishing 60 on tops. 2-1 - Wade breaks back, finishing 78. 2-2 - Anderson misses double five to finish 130, and Wade takes out 64 on tops to level. 3-2 - Tops sees Anderson edge back ahead. 3-3 - Double ten from Wade levels. 4-3 - Anderson opens with a 180 before finishing double six to regain the edge. 5-3 - The Scot kicks off with another maximum before breaking throw on tops, after Wade misses double 12 for a 141 checkout. 6-3 - Wade this time opens with a 180, but Anderson finishes 81 on double six to secure a minimum of a draw. 6-4 - Anderson lands a 180, but misses two match darts to allow Wade in on double five to keep his hopes alive. 6-5 - Wade finishes 71 on tops to take the game into a decider. 6-6 - Anderson hits his fifth 180 of the game, but misses four further match darts to allow Wade back in to snatch a draw on double five. Phil Taylor v Robert Thornton 1-0 - Taylor finishes 45 to win the opening leg. 2-0 - Thornton misses the bull and two further darts at doubles to win the leg, allowing Taylor in on double ten to break throw. 3-0 - Thornton lands the game's first 180, but Taylor hits double ten with his third dart as he continues his march. 3-1 - Tops sees Thornton hit back with his first leg of the contest. 4-1 - Taylor lands a 180 and tops to regain his three-leg lead. 4-2 - Thornton posts a maximum before finishing 41 to claim his second leg. 5-2 - Double 12 sees Taylor restore his cushion. 6-2 - Thornton misses double eight to take out 92, and Taylor's double eight sees him secure a minimum of a point. 7-2 - Thornton's miss at tops allows Taylor in to finish 78 on the same bed to complete a victory which ensures his place in the Play-Offs next month. Phil Taylor's win secures his place in the Betway Premier League Play-Offs Adrian Lewis v Michael van Gerwen 0-1 - Lewis misses four darts at a double, and van Gerwen lands tops for an immediate break of throw. 0-2 - Lewis fires in a 171 score to leave 32, only for van Gerwen to produce a killer 124 finish on the bull to double his lead. 1-2 - Five missed doubles from van Gerwen allow Lewis back in on double two to hit back. 1-3 - van Gerwen takes out 65 on double four to regain his cushion. 1-4 - van Gerwen finishes 100 with two double tops to open up a three-leg lead with another break. 2-4 - Double two sees Lewis claim a second leg with a break of throw. 3-4 - van Gerwen lands a 180, but two misses at top allow Lewis in to hit the same bed as he responds. 4-4 - Lewis finishes a brilliant 142 checkout to level the contest in stunning fashion. 4-5 - van Gerwen responds with a 180 before capitalising on Lewis' missed doubles across two visits to move ahead with a third-dart double five. 4-6 - van Gerwen finishes 65 on tops to ensure he will remain unbeaten in 12 matches. 5-6 - The Dutchman misses four match darts, and Lewis follows a 180 with double 19 to force a deciding leg. 5-7 - van Gerwen is first to a finish before pinning double 16 to secure both points.
0 Comments
ADRIAN LEWIS landed a stunning nine-dart finish in the Betway Premier League as he edged out James Wade 7-5 at Belfast's SSE Arena on Thursday evening, as Phil Taylor moved four points clear at the top of the table on a high-quality night in Northern Ireland. Lewis had been flawless with his finishing as he won four successive legs to take a 4-1 lead in his clash with Wade, only to let 2009 champion Wade back into the contest as the left-hander won four of his own to move 5-4 up. Lewis, though, kicked off the tenth leg with a 180 and added a 177 before taking out 144 with two further treble 20s and double 12 to complete his fourth televised nine-darter, and the first in the Premier League since 2012. He went on to take the game's next two legs to secure a victory from the game, as Wade wired the bull to secure a point in seeing the two-time World Champion consolidate his spot inside the Play-Off positions. "I'm lost for words - it's a really special moment for me," said Lewis. "I took a 4-1 lead and I thought I was cruising, and before I knew it James was 5-4 up, he dug in really well and fair play to him. "It got to the stage where I needed a massive leg, and I didn't expect the nine-darter to come from it. To hit the nine-darter in front of this crowd is unbelievable, brilliant. I'm over the moon. "I've hit a couple of nine-darters recently and I'm really pleased with my form. It was a massive game because Wadey's on my tail and I knew I needed a win." The night also saw six-time Premier League champion Phil Taylor move four points clear at the top of the table as he defeated 2014 winner Raymond van Barneveld 7-5 in a see-saw contest to extend his unbeaten run to 11 matches. After opening the match with a 180 in a 13-darter to break throw, Taylor opened up leads of 2-0, 5-1 and 6-2 as he secured a point to extend his unbeaten run this season to 11 matches. Van Barneveld, aided by a 106 finish, took three legs to fight back and force a deciding leg in which both players landed 177 scores before a 171 from Taylor helped give him the breathing space to finally secure victory on double two. "It's another two points for me and I'm closer to the Play-Offs, which is so important for me," said Taylor. "Barney stuck in there and came back well, and he played really well. "He put me under pressure so I'm pleased to have got the win - I knew that the worst outcome going into the last leg was a draw but I had the throw and the 177 and 171 were big shots." Van Barneveld bounced back later in the evening to defeat Robert Thornton 7-4, with the Scot enduring a mixed night in Belfast after opening the night with an outstanding 105 average as he stormed past Peter Wright 7-5. The night's other game saw world number one Michael van Gerwen and reigning Premier League and World Champion Gary Anderson share the points in a high-quality draw, with the Dutchman averaging 110.55 to the Scot's 108.24. However, neither player was able to secure a break of throw in a fast-paced contest, with Anderson producing a key 119 checkout in the tenth leg before the pair traded 13-darters to share the spoils. "We didn't give each other many chances but I think it was a good result for both of us," said van Gerwen, who has now drawn four of his last five games but remains unbeaten in ten weeks. "I think it was a fantastic match for everyone to watch." Anderson, who hit six doubles from seven attempts, added: "It was a good game but neither of us could get the break, but I'm happy with where I'm sitting in the table. Michael's at the top of the tree at the moment but he's not having it all his own way and we're on his tail." The Betway Premier League continues next Thursday with Night 12 at the BIC in Bournemouth, where van Gerwen and Lewis will face each other in a tasty fixture as the pair both compete twice on the south coast. Betway Premier League Night 11 - April 14 The SSE Arena, Belfast Robert Thornton 7-2 Peter Wright Raymond van Barneveld 5-7 Phil Taylor James Wade 5-7 Adrian Lewis - Adrian Lewis hits nine-dart finish Michael van Gerwen 6-6 Gary Anderson Raymond van Barneveld 7-4 Robert Thornton Best of 12 legs MATCH INFORMATION Robert Thornton v Peter Wright 1-0 - Double 18 gives Thornton an ideal start with a 13-dart finish. 2-0 - Thornton opens with a 180 before being given a reprieve when Wright misses two darts at tops, allowing his rival back in on double ten. 3-0 - Wright fires in a 180 as he bids to break back, but Thornton takes out 113 for a 12-darter to continue his confident opening. 3-1 - Wright takes out a fine 120 finish to claim his first leg of the contest. 4-1 - Thornton finishes 71 on tops to regain his three-leg cushion. 5-1 - Wright tees up a possible nine-darter by opening with two 180s - Thornton replying with a maximum of his own - but the world number five misses out on a perfect leg and then misses four darts at double 18 to allow his rival in on tops for a break of throw. 6-1 - A 14-dart finish for Thornton secures him a minimum of a point, as he lands double ten. 6-2 - Wright opens with his fourth 180 before hitting tops to retain his hopes of snatching a draw. 7-2 - Thornton completes a superb win by finishing tops for a 14-darter, ending with a 105.61 average as he claims his second victory of the season. Raymond van Barneveld v Phil Taylor 0-1 - Taylor kicks off the match with a 180 before punishing van Barneveld for three missed doubles - one at the bull and two darts at double eight - by landing double 12 for a 13-darter to break throw immediately. 0-2 - Taylor misses the bull for a 121 finish, but returns on double eight to win a second leg. 1-2 - van Barneveld lands tops to get off the mark. 1-3 - Taylor kicks off the leg with a 180 before hitting a third-dart double 16 to claim his third leg. 1-4 - Taylor opens with a 174 score and takes out 87 for a superb 11-darter to break throw for a second time as he opens up a three-leg lead. 1-5 - Taylor takes out 68 on double four to move further towards the winning line. 2-5 - van Barneveld lands a 180 - his first of the match - and posts double eight to hit back with his leg in four. 2-6 - Taylor lands a 180, and when van Barneveld is unable to land the bull to complete a 121 finish the Stoke ace steps in to finish 80 on double ten for a 14-darter to secure a point. 3-6 - Double nine sees van Barneveld hit back to keep his hopes alive of claiming a draw. 4-6 - Taylor kicks off with a 174 score for the second time in the match, but misses two darts at double 16 to complete the win as van Barneveld steps in to take out 61 on double four. 5-6 - van Barneveld takes out a brilliant 106 checkout - with Taylor waiting on 32 - to send the match into a decider. 5-7 - The pair trade 177 scores as the tension mounts, before Taylor lands a 171 score to leave 32 after nine darts - giving him the breathing space to miss four more match darts before posting double two to secure both points. James Wade v Adrian Lewis 1-0 - Lewis lands the game's first 180, but Wade finishes tops for a 14-darter to claim the opening leg. 1-1 - Lewis takes out 108 on double 16 to level. 1-2 - Lewis breaks throw on double 16 to move ahead. 1-3 - Wade misses a dart at tops to finish 82, and Lewis' flawless finishing continues as he takes out 76 on double eight to win a third successive leg. 1-4 - Lewis takes out another 76 checkout, again in two darts on double eight, to break throw again and move three legs clear. 2-4 - Lewis misses his first three darts at a double, at tops, double ten and double five, before Wade breaks throw on double 18 to respond with his first leg in five. 3-4 - Wade kicks off with a 180, but misses double 11 for an 84 finish only for Lewis to be unable to land double 12 to take out 101, allowing the left-hander back in on double four to claim a second successive leg. 4-4 - Lewis' double trouble continues as he misses double top and ten, and Wade finishes 101 on double 12 to level the game. 5-4 - Wade finishes 121 on the bull to regain the lead, winning his fourth successive leg. 5-5 - ADRIAN LEWIS HITS NINE-DART FINISH! Lewis opens with a 180 and lands a 177 before taking out 144 with two treble 20s and double 12 to complete a brilliant perfect leg, the first in the Premier League since 2012! 5-6 - Double nine sees Lewis break throw to secure at least a point. 5-7 - Wade wires the bull for a 161 finish to claim a draw, allowing Lewis back in on double ten to secure the victory. Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson 1-0 - van Gerwen makes a superb start by finishing 82 for a 12-darter. 1-1 - Anderson levels with a 14-darter by finishing 52. 2-1 - van Gerwen lands two 180s in a 12-darter as a 64 finish edges him back ahead. 2-2 - van Gerwen opens with 180 and 140 as he seeks a break of throw, but Anderson holds firm to finish double 18 for a 13-darter. 3-2 - van Gerwen adds another 180 and a 68 finish to hold throw once more. 3-3 - Anderson levels on double 12. 4-3 - The pair trade 180s before van Gerwen finishes an 11-darter on double 16. 4-4 - Anderson finishes 64 on tops to square a tight contest once more. 5-4 - van Gerwen lands another 180 before double 16 sees him edge back in front. 5-5 - Anderson takes out a superb 119 finish - with van Gerwen waiting on 48 - as he responds. 6-5 - van Gerwen secures a minimum of a point with a superb 13-darter, landing double 16. 6-6 - Anderson hits a 180 before claiming a draw with a 13-darter of his own, as tops seals a share of the spoils. Raymond van Barneveld v Robert Thornton 1-0 - van Barneveld claims the opening leg on double top. 1-1 - Double five sees Thornton level. 2-1 - van Barneveld lands a 180 and double 16 in a fine 11-dart leg. 3-1 - van Barneveld hits another 180 before punishing Thornton's miss at double 16 - for a 143 finish - to land double eight for a break of throw. 3-2 - Thornton opens with a 180 as he breaks throw. 3-3 - An 89 finish sees Thornton level the game. 4-3 - Thornton hits his second 180 of the game, but misses five darts at doubles to punish three misses from his rival, as the Dutchman returns on double two to edge back ahead. 4-4 - Thornton levels with a superb 101 checkout. 5-4 - van Barneveld hits a maximum and finishes double 12 for a fine 13-darter to regain the edge. 6-4 - van Barneveld wires the bull for a 126 finish, but returns on double eight to secure at least a draw. 7-4 - The Dutchman adds another 180 before sealing victory with a 91 checkout. PHIL TAYLOR extended his unbeaten run in the Betway Premier League to ten matches by defeating Gary Anderson and James Wade as he doubled up at the Sheffield Arena on Thursday, as Michael van Gerwen recorded the third highest televised average in history. Taylor moved three points clear of van Gerwen at the top of the Premier League table as he enjoyed a perfect night in Yorkshire to continue his superb run of form. The 16-time World Champion firstly overcame reigning Premier League and World Champion Anderson 7-3 as he reeled off five straight legs in their contest, capitalising after the Scot missed a chance to move 4-2 up by pouncing in clinical fashion. Taylor then returned to the stage later in the evening to face Wade in a repeat of two previous Premier League finals, and he completed a season's double over the left-hander with a 7-4 triumph. "I'm over the moon and it's another four points and a step closer to getting into the Play-Offs," said Taylor. "I think another one or two wins will put me through and that's what I'm after. "Gary Anderson was the first stepping point. At three-each it was a close match and then he let me in, and I took advantage of him. It was hard in the second match against James, it's difficult but you've got to do it and to get the two points from that game is lovely." Wade had kicked off the evening with a 7-4 defeat of 2014 Premier League champion Raymond van Barneveld, who now sits six points adrift of the Play-Off places after the Aldershot ace claimed the final three legs without reply from their contest. "It's a very important win," said Wade. "I couldn't believe some of the shots Ray gave me a chance at and it was a strange game because Ray didn't score as well as he can or finish as well as he can - but they're some of the hardest games to win." World number one van Gerwen followed up his achievement in hitting the highest televised average in history earlier this season of 123.40 by landing the third-highest ever of 117.95 as he edged out Robert Thornton to respond to three successive draws in stunning fashion. World Grand Prix champion Thornton hit back from 5-1 down to trail just 6-5 with a gutsy display, but van Gerwen produced an 11-darter in the deciding leg, to follow an earlier ten-dart finish, as he claimed the two points. "It was a very tough game and Robert played really well and made it difficult for me because he never gives up," said van Gerwen, who hit five 180s in the final four legs of the contest. "I had to play well and I'm really glad I did at the end. "The average is amazing, especially because I missed a few doubles, and it's a pleasure to play this well again and to get the two points again. After three draws I wanted to get the full house so I'm glad I did." Adrian Lewis moved above Anderson into third place in the league table after snatching a draw with Peter Wright, who broke throw to move 6-5 up only to then miss five darts to claim the win in the deciding leg. "It's frustrating," admitted Wright. "I was trying to go out for the win but I couldn't get anything going - it was a bad day at the office. We were both below our best but the point will help me in the league table." The Betway Premier League continues next Thursday with Night 11 at The SSE Arena in Belfast, which will see Thornton and van Barneveld double up on the night as well as the top-four clash between van Gerwen and Anderson. Tickets are still available by calling 028 9073 9074 or online at www.ssearenabelfast.com. Betway Premier League Night Ten - April 7 Sheffield Arena James Wade 7-4 Raymond van Barneveld Gary Anderson 3-7 Phil Taylor Robert Thornton 5-7 Michael van Gerwen Adrian Lewis 6-6 Peter Wright Phil Taylor 7-4 James Wade MATCH INFORMATION James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld 1-0 - Wade kicks off with a superb 12-darter, hitting three 140s before taking out 81 on double six. 1-1 - Wade misses a dart at tops, and van Barneveld returns to land double nine to level. 2-1 - van Barneveld leaves 16 in his bid to break throw, but Wade finishes 101 on double 12 to edge back ahead. 2-2 - van Barneveld posts the game's first 180 before taking out double 16 to square the game. 3-2 - Wade takes out 64 on tops to move back in front. 3-3 - van Barneveld opens with a maximum before again landing double 16 as the pair continue to trade legs. 4-3 - van Barneveld misses the bull for a 122 finish, and Wade returns on double 16 to avert a possible break of throw. 4-4 - A third-dart double five sees van Barneveld hit back once more. 5-4 - The Dutchman hits his third 180, but Wade holds his nerve to finish 62 on double ten. 6-4 - van Barneveld opens with a 174 score, but Wade lands a 177 in reply before pouncing on three misses at double 18 from his opponent to finish tops for a 13-darter to break throw, securing at least a draw. 7-4 - Double ten sees Wade secure victory to continue his run of form with a fifth match unbeaten. Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor 1-0 - Anderson lands the game's first 180 before taking out 74 on tops. 1-1 - Taylor finishes 61 on double 16 to level. 2-1 - Taylor fires in a maximum, but Anderson hits double 12 to avert a possible break of throw. 2-2 - Taylor follows his second 180 with a clinical 96 checkout. 3-2 - Anderson kicks off the leg with a 180 before finishing 64 on double eight to edge back ahead. 3-3 - Anderson posts a third 180, but misses tops to take out 68 for a break of throw, and Taylor steps in to finish 76 on double eight to level. 3-4 - Taylor produces a brilliant 12-darter to break throw and move ahead for the first time, following three 140s by taking out 81 on tops. 3-5 - Double ten sees Taylor hold throw to open up a two-leg lead. 3-6 - Anderson misses a dart at tops to take out 80, and Taylor breaks throw for a second time by returning to land double 16. 3-7 - Taylor seals victory by landing a third-dart double 16, ending Anderson's seven-match unbeaten run and extending his own unbeaten streak to nine matches. Robert Thornton v Michael van Gerwen 1-0 - Thornton opens the game with a 180 before finishing 42 for a 14-darter. 1-1 - van Gerwen finishes tops to square the contest. 1-2 - van Gerwen hits tops again to break throw and move ahead. 1-3 - The Dutchman opens up a two-leg lead with a brilliant ten-dart finish, scoring 180, 135 and 170 before landing double eight. 1-4 - van Gerwen again lands a 170 score during the scoring phase of the leg, and when Thornton misses the bull to finish 81, the Dutchman lands double ten with his third dart to move three legs clear. 1-5 - Thornton fires in a second 180, but another miss at the bull allows van Gerwen in to finish 78 on double 12 to claim a fifth straight leg. 2-5 - The Scot hits a maximum and tops to respond with his first leg in six. 2-6 - van Gerwen's brilliant finishing continues as he takes out 138 with two treble 19s and double 12 to seal at least a point. 3-6 - Thornton's opening 174 is followed by a 180 from van Gerwen, but the Scot finishes tops for a superb 11-darter to hit back again. 4-6 - The pair trade 180s before van Gerwen misses two match darts at double 16, allowing Thornton in to break on tops. 5-6 - van Gerwen lands two 180s to Thornton's one in a brilliant treble of maximums in successive visits, but two further missed match darts from the Dutchman allow Thornton to take out 76 on double eight to force a decider. 5-7 - van Gerwen opens with a sixth 180 before completing an 11-darter to seal the win, ending with a 117.95 average - the third highest individual televised average in history. Adrian Lewis v Peter Wright 1-0 - Lewis kicks off the match with a 180 before claiming the opening leg. 1-1 - Wright lands double 12 to level the contest. 2-1 - Double ten sees Lewis edge back ahead. 2-2 - Wright finishes 77 on tops to square the game once more. 3-2 - The pair trade 180s before Lewis finishes 97 as he averts a possible break to move back into the lead. 3-3 - Wright opens with a 180 before hitting double ten to complete a superb 14-darter. 4-3 - Lewis kicks off with a maximum for the third time when throwing first, and takes out double 18 to regain the edge with a fine leg. 4-4 - Wright initially misses double 19 to finish 96, but Lewis misses two darts at double 12 to break throw, and the Scot returns to land double 19 to level again. 5-4 - Wright this time misses a chance to break throw - wiring the bull for a spectacular 167 checkout - and Lewis returns on double eight to regain the edge. 5-5 - Lewis lands a 171 score, but Wright fires in double ten to square the game. 5-6 - Wright posts his third 180 before initially missing two darts at doubles to break throw, but when Lewis is unable to take out 94, the Scot returns on double four to finally move ahead as he seals a minimum of a point. 6-6 - Wright misses five darts to claim the win, and Lewis finishes 80 on double ten to snatch a draw. Phil Taylor v James Wade 1-0 - Taylor lands double eight to take the opening leg. 2-0 - Taylor fires in a 180 before finishing 121 on the bull to break throw for a two-leg lead. 2-1 - Wade lands a 180 before capitalising on a scrappy end to the leg by hitting double ten. 3-1 - Taylor scores 177 before finishing 84 on the bull, punishing Wade's miss at double 14 for a 121 finish. 4-1 - Taylor kicks off with a 180, with both players missing a dart at tops before the Stoke ace returns to post double ten for a three-leg cushion. 5-1 - Wade misses two darts at tops to punish a pair of misses from Taylor, who returns on double four to pull clear with a third break of throw. 5-2 - Wade finishes 101 on tops to respond with a break of throw. 5-3 - Double tens sees Wade claim a second successive leg to halve the deficit. 6-3 - Double 16 sees Taylor secure a minimum of a point from the game to extend his unbeaten run to ten games. 6-4 - Wade capitalises on Taylor's missed match darts by landing double 12 to keep his hopes of claiming a draw alive. 7-4 - Wade lands a 180 but wires double ten for a 140 checkout, and Taylor follows a 177 by hitting double 12 to claim the win with a superb 13-darter. |
Archives
April 2020
|