Betway Premier League Darts Night 11

VAN GERWEN RETAINS BETWAY PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS LEAD ON MIXED NIGHT IN ABERDEEN
 

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN remains a point ahead of Dutch rival Raymond van Barneveld at the head of the Betway Premier League Darts table as they joined Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson and Dave Chisnall in claiming victories at the GE Oil & Gas Arena in Aberdeen on Thursday.

Reigning champion van Gerwen suffered only his second defeat of the season as he went down 7-4 to Taylor in their Aberdeen clash - but returned to the stage later in the night to defeat Adrian Lewis by the same scoreline.

That triumph keeps the world number one a point clear at the top of the league table, and moves him closer to mathematically securing his place in May's Play-Offs.

"I was very disappointed after the first game because I don't like to lose any game, but I had to prepare myself again and try to win my second match, and I'm very glad I did," said van Gerwen.

"I didn't do what I wanted to do against Phil but I had to try and win the game after. I can do a lot better, but it was still enough to win the second game.

"I need to take the positives out of the night, because I didn't really play my best game but I got two points and am still top of the table, which is the most important thing."

Taylor had led 4-1 against van Gerwen in their clash before the Dutchman levelled - but the 16-time World Champion held his nerve with back-to-back 13-dart finishes as he took the final three legs without reply to seal victory.

The win extended Taylor's unbeaten run to six successive games as he consolidated his spot inside the top four, as he avenged his whitewash to van Gerwen on the season's opening night in February.

"It wasn't about getting revenge, it was about getting the two points and it was a brilliant game," said Taylor. "I'm playing well and I'm into the top four now, which is where I want to be.

"Michael came back well at me and gave everything to get level, but I knew I was still playing well and I had to keep doing what I was doing.

"Michael's brilliant and he puts you under tremendous pressure, but at the moment he's the one with the big target on his back. Everybody's been after me for the last 25 years so it's nice to sit back and let someone else take the pressure.

"He's a target at the moment because he's the best at the minute, but I'm getting back to my best and I want to be judged at the end of the year."

Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld sits a point behind van Gerwen at the top of the table after extending his own unbeaten run to nine matches as he picked up a third straight victory with a 7-1 romp against Robert Thornton.

The Scot shared the first two legs but saw the Dutchman pull clear with six successive legs as he condemned Thornton to a third straight defeat which further dents his top four hopes.

"Robert won a Players Championship last weekend so I knew he was playing well and that it would be a big task tonight, so I'm really happy to get such a great win," said van Barneveld.

"Every week's a new chance to get two points and I'm very pleased because I've put in so much effort and practice, and my self-belief is coming back. I'm positive and everything's going well at the moment."

Gary Anderson delighted the Scottish crowd with a thrilling 7-4 win over Lewis in their clash, as the Stoke ace suffered the first of his two defeats on the night to see his own Play-Off hopes hit.

Anderson opened the game with a 138 checkout and raced into a 6-0 lead before Lewis pulled back to 6-4 with the aid of a superb ten-dart leg, but the 2011 champion eventually closed out the victory.

"It was a memorable night and I love playing in Scotland," said Anderson. "I got a great start but then I looked at the score and saw it was 6-0, and all of a sudden I went to pieces!

"Maybe I was too eager to try finish Adrian off, but anyone would with a crowd like that behind them! I knew that if I had one good leg I could take the game and it worked out like that."

The night's other game saw third-placed Peter Wright suffer his third successive defeat, as Dave Chisnall improved his hopes of pushing for a top four place with a superb 7-4 win, doing much of the damage early on by taking a 4-0 lead.

"This was one of my best games this season and I'm glad I hit my doubles tonight," said Chisnall. "I was really disappointed last week - totally gutted - when I missed my chance to get a point against Raymond, but my finishing was good.

"I wanted to stay calm on my doubles because sometimes I rush, and I steadied myself tonight and they went in.

"I'm taking one game at a time and if I keep winning I can push towards the top four. This was good because it keeps me in the running."

The Betway Premier League Darts continues next Thursday with the 12th league night at the Phones 4u Arena in Manchester, as Anderson takes on Taylor and Thornton on the night.

Thornton also meets Wright as he enjoys a pair of all-Scottish encounters, while van Barneveld meets Lewis and van Gerwen plays Chisnall.

Tickets are still available from the Phones 4u Arena by calling 0844 847 8000 or online through www.eventim.co.uk.

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Betway Premier League Darts
Week 11
April 17, GE Gas & Oil Arena, Aberdeen
Gary Anderson 7-4 Adrian Lewis
Michael van Gerwen 4-7 Phil Taylor
Peter Wright 4-7 Dave Chisnall
Robert Thornton 1-7 Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen 7-4 Adrian Lewis
All games the best of 12 legs

Latest League Table

MATCH INFORMATION
Gary Anderson v Adrian Lewis
1-0 - Lewis fires in a 180 to leave 24, but can only watch on as Anderson thrills his home crowd with a brilliant 138 checkout.
2-0 - Lewis misses a dart at tops to finish 76, and Anderson hits the same bed to finish 80 and break throw.
3-0 - Anderson misses double 15 to finish 110, but Lewis misses double 16 and double eight to allow the Scot back in, as he scrambles home double tw.
4-0 - Anderson again takes out 80 on tops to break throw and move four legs clear.
5-0 - Anderson takes out 68 on tops to continue his charge - having hit a superb five doubles from seven attempts.
6-0 - Lewis lands a second 180 of the game, but misses double nine to match Anderson's earlier 138 finish, and the Scot capitalises with a 96 checkout to ensure he will take at least a point.
6-1 - Anderson opens with a 180, but misses double ten for a 128 finish and is also off-target with two further match darts, at double ten and five, to allow Lewis to claim his first leg of the game on tops.
6-2 - Lewis finishes 60 on tops to continue his revival.
6-3 - Lewis scores 140, 180 and 145 to leave 36 after nine darts, and when Anderson misses the bull for a 121 checkout to claim victory, the Stoke ace completes a brilliant ten-darter on double 18 to halve the deficit.
6-4 - Anderson fires in his second 180 of the game, but Lewis finishes 86 to win a fourth successive leg.
7-4 - Anderson lands two 140s to be first to a finish, only to miss six darts to win the game at double top, ten and five - but Lewis is unable to take out 91 and the Scot returns to finally complete the victory on double five.

Match Stats

Michael van Gerwen v Phil Taylor
1-0 - Taylor opens with a 180, but van Gerwen replies with a maximum before claiming the opening leg.
1-1 - Taylor finishes 77 on double ten to level.
1-2 - van Gerwen opens with a maximum, but Taylor replies with a 174 and punishes the reigning champion for missing tops for a 160 finish by taking out 70 on double 16 to break.
1-3 - Taylor's flawless finishing continues as he takes out 118 on double 19.
1-4 - Double 16 sees Taylor break throw again as he moves three legs clear.
2-4 - Taylor misses his chance to take the leg with two darts at double 18, and van Gerwen replies on tops.
3-4 - The pair retain averages above 105 as van Gerwen wins a second successive leg.
4-4 - Taylor opens with a 180, but misses double 12 for a 138 checkout and is also unable to land three further darts at the same bed, and van Gerwen takes out 78 on tops to level the game.
4-5 - Taylor kicks off another leg with a maximum, before taking out tops to break throw and move back ahead.
4-6 - Taylor secures at least a point as he defies a maximum from van Gerwen by landing tops.
4-7 - Taylor lands a 177 score in being first to a finish against the throw, but misses the bull for a 124 finish for the game before returning to take out double eight to claim the win - and inflict van Gerwen's second defeat of the season.

Match Stats

Peter Wright v Dave Chisnall
0-1 - Wright is unable to give himself a dart at a double on 94, and Chisnall finishes 60 on tops to break immediately.
0-2 - Chisnall doubles his lead by finishing double five.
0-3 - Wright's slow start continues as Chisnall breaks again, taking out 104 on double ten.
0-4 - Chisnall this time finishes 112 on double 16 for a fourth successive leg.
1-4 - Wright is first to a finish, and returns from missing the bull for a 170 finish to land double four to finally get off the mark.
2-4 - Wright opens with a 180, and when Chisnall misses a dart at tops, he steps in to take out 90 on double 15 for a 14-darter to break.
3-4 - Wright scores 121, 180 and 140 before landing tops for a 13-darter to continue his revival.
3-5 - The pair trade 180s before Chisnall takes out 64 on tops to win his first leg in four.
3-6 - Chisnall scores 180, 140 and 170 before taking out 11 on double four for a superb 11-dart leg.
4-6 - Wright lands a fifth 180, and when Chisnall misses the bull, the Scot finishes 91 with a miracle third-dart bullseye, having blocked the bed by hitting the outer bull with his first dart.
4-7 - Chisnall completes a fine win as he finishes 85 on tops.

Match Stats

Robert Thornton v Raymond van Barneveld
0-1 - van Barneveld opens the game with a 180 before landing double four to break throw immediately.
1-1 - Thornton breaks back, hitting a maximum in reply before finishing 58 on tops.
1-2 - Double nine sees van Barneveld claim another break of throw.
1-3 - van Barneveld this time holds throw, hitting a 180 and tops.
1-4 - Thornton misses a dart at tops, and double ten sees van Barneveld break for a third time.
1-5 - Double ten once more gives van Barneveld the leg as he pulls clear.
1-6 - van Barneveld takes out 97 on double 12 to ensure at least a draw.
1-7 - Tops sees the Dutchman complete victory with a superb average of just under 100.

Match Stats

Michael van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis
1-0 - Double ten gives van Gerwen the opening leg.
1-1 - Lewis opens with a 180 before hitting double top to level.
2-1 - van Gerwen lands a third-dart double 16 as he moves back ahead.
2-2 - The pair trade 180s before van Gerwen misses double ten for a 128 finish, and Lewis makes him pay on double five.
3-2 - Lewis misses his chance to break, and van Gerwen moves back in front on tops.
3-3 - Lewis posts his third 180 of the game before suffering more missed doubles, but van Gerwen wastes a chance to break on double 18 and the UK Open champion returns on double two.
4-3 - Double eight edges van Gerwen back ahead.
5-3 - The reigning champion opens with 180 and 140 before a third-dart double 16 sees him break for the first time in the game.
6-3 - Lewis posts his fourth 180, but is crucially left waiting on 40 as van Gerwen takes out 78 on tops to secure a minimum of a draw.
6-4 - van Gerwen hits a 180, but Lewis keeps his hopes alive by finishing 126 on the bullseye.
7-4 - van Gerwen takes out 56 on tops to complete the win and return to the top of the league table.

Match Stats