MVG, Phil Taylor and James Wade all maintain unbeaten records
Friday 24 February 2017 00:09, UK
Reigning champion Michael van Gerwen was held by two-time world champion Adrian Lewis in a Premier League classic on a night of draws in Brighton.
Jelle Klaasen was the only winner of the night as he climbed off the bottom of the table with Gary Anderson holding James Wade, Phil Taylor hanging on against Kim Huybrechts and Raymond van Barneveld fighting back against Peter Wright.
Dutchman Van Gerwen and the Stoke ace Lewis served up a majestic battle on the south coast in one of the best matches ever seen in the tournament's history.
Lewis took a 3-1 lead and moved 4-2 up with a showstopping 170 checkout to seemingly take control of the match. But world No 1 Van Gerwen hit back and broke to level before guaranteeing a point and stretching his long unbeaten streak on TV to 41 games in the 11th leg.
But in a topsy-turvy match which had the Brighton crowd on the edge of their seats, Lewis nailed double 12 for a well-earned share of the spoils.
"It was a strange game, but well played to both of us," said Van Gerwen, who averaged 104.67. "I think we both played our best with a 170 and lots of maximums."
'The Flying Scotsman' Anderson fought back from 5-1 down in his tussle against left-hander Wade to earn a point in another see-saw battle.
Aldershot thrower Wade fell 6-5 behind, but he maintained his unbeaten start to the season after sinking double nine to rescue a draw.
"It's a loss in a darts player terms," said Wade, who hit two ton-plus checkouts. "It wasn't good enough but Gary did what he needed to do. I'm thankful he didn't score as he can, but I'm annoyed."
Taylor remained unbeaten as he escaped in a feisty 6-6 draw against Huybrechts, with the Belgian ace picking up his second point in the tournament to move out of the danger zone.
"I should have won," said Huybrechts, who struck a stunning 140 in the eighth leg. "I gave it away against the best player in the world. The way the game ended really annoyed me because of the way he [Taylor] reacted at the end. It's a stupid thing, but not being able to sign the board was a bit disrespectful."
Klaasen recorded his first victory of the Premier League campaign with a 98.90 three-dart average, four maximums and 47 per cent on the doubles for a convincing 7-3 victory to overtake 2015 semi-finalist Dave Chisnall in the table.
"I'm happy with the win," said the former Lakeside champion. "The 152 checkout really helped me in the game and I think after that Chizzy gave up."
In the final match of the night Van Barneveld fought back from 6-4 down against Wright and struck a wonderful 140 in the last-leg decider to seal a point.
"I'm happy with a draw after being 6-4 down," conceded Van Barneveld. "He let me in and it was a fantastic 12 darts with the 140 finish at the end."
Wright admitted: "I had my chances but didn't take them. It's always difficult against Raymond and he showed that with the 12-darter against the throw in the last leg."
Van Gerwen is one of three unbeaten players at the top of the Premier League table following the opening four weeks of the 2017 season, with Taylor and Wade also picking up six points heading to Exeter next Thursday.
Watch Premier League Darts next Thursday, from Westpoint Arena in Exeter, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.
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