Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor victorious in Premier League darts
Friday 11 March 2016 08:43, UK
Michael van Gerwen recorded another superb average as he beat Dave Chisnall to stay top of the Premier League after Night Six in Nottingham.
The world number one posted a world-record TV average a couple of weeks ago and has vowed to beat the 123.4 that he set against Michael Smith.
At times on Thursday, the brilliant Dutchman looked like threatening that but in the end, he had to settle for an average of 113 and a 7-2 victory over Chisnall in the final game of the evening, which ensured he ended the night top of the table.
'Chizzy' was able to keep pace in the early stages but could do nothing to match the relentless scoring power of Van Gerwen, who pulled clear in legs four and five with finishes of 111 and 100 that saw his average hovering around the 120 mark.
A couple of below-par visits ensured it was not to be another record-breaking night for Van Gerwen but he was happy enough with the win and more than happy to take top spot from Phil Taylor ahead of their showdown in Glasgow next week.
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'The Power' had hit the top of the standings after a whitewash of Robert Thornton in the night's penultimate match.
Thornton has had his struggles this season and remains winless after coming up against a ruthless Taylor, who admitted afterwards he is relishing the prospect of meeting Van Gerwen in Scotland next week.
Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright slugged it out in a high-calibre affair, Wright ending up on the wrong side of another defeat despite an average of 106.
'Snakebite' lost to Van Gerwen last week despite a 108 average and he was unfortunate to run into Lewis, who is enjoying his darts and looks in impressive form.
'Jackpot', who has never won the Premier League title, broke in the opener and never looked like conceding that advantage as he maintained and extended his advantage for a 7-3 victory that takes him third in the table.
Game of the night was James Wade's victory over Raymond van Barneveld - a topsy-turvy affair that featured five 100+ finishes and saw 'The Machine' come out on top, but only after threatening to throw away his advantage.
Wade raced into a 5-1 lead but Barney refused to give up and scrapped his way back into the contest to trail 6-5 in the decider.
Barney then missed darts to take a share of the points and Wade took full advantage of his reprieve to take out 82 and clinch the victory which moves him into the play-off places.
Mentor and protege and great friends Gary Anderson and Michael Smith met in the opener and defending Premier League champion Anderson had more than enough in the tank for a 7-3 victory that keeps alive his play-off hopes.
'The Flying Scotsman' plays twice in Glasgow next week and will look to push for a top-four spot, while Smith has the night off after playing twice in the opening round and both he and Thornton look in real trouble at the foot of the table.
However, all eyes on Night Seven will be on the top two - Van Gerwen v Taylor promises to be a cracker, with both men in terrific form.
