Special night in Aberdeen ends with four-way tie at the top of the standings
Friday 8 March 2019 07:05, UK
James Wade destroyed Daryl Gurney with a 10th whitewash in Premier League history, while Michael van Gerwen was held by big John Henderson in Aberdeen to extend his winless run to three matches on Thursday night.
Gerwyn Price maintained his 100 per cent record with another win. A classy Rob Cross proved too good for Michael Smith and Raymond van Barneveld remained winless after going down to Scotland's No 1 Peter Wright.
An emotionally-charged Highlander complete in tartan shirt and trousers returned home for his Premier League debut with a wonderful rendition of 'Flower of Scotland' performed on bagpipes followed by Status Quo's classic 'Rockin' All Over the World'.
After raising the roof at the BHGE Arena, Van Gerwen soon silenced the Scottish crowd with a break in the second leg. The World Champion took out a 13-dart leg to make it 5-2 to close in on victory in a top-quality encounter, but he suddenly lost his way to allow Henderson back into the contest and the Scotsman quickly closed the gap to within one leg.
The Dutch world No 1 was beaten by James Wade in Exeter last week, losing his 100 per cent record, before crashing out of the UK Open at the hands of Mervyn King just 24 hours later. After failing to close out the contest on throw in the 11th leg he was made the pay for his profligacy as Henderson hit tops for an astonishing draw.
Wade, who has averaged 100.02 in the four Premier League matches leading into his latest encounter with Northern Irishman Gurney, was at it again from the opening leg.
The Aldershot thrower nailed a fantastic 158 before sinking D6 for a comfortable 4-0 lead. A clinical 81 punished Gurney further and he guaranteed a point thanks to tops. Wade was now thinking of a whitewash and it wasn't long before he achieved that remarkable feat by taking out a spectacular 116.
When James Wade plays like that, that 109.59 average was pretty much from start to finish - he did not relent. We know Wade is a great combination finisher, but it's the timing of it.
In a repeat of Sunday's UK Open semi-final, which saw Cross come out on top 11-7, the pair went head-to-head once again.
The former World Champion made the first breakthrough of the clash with the highest finishing of the 2019 Premier League so far - a magnificent 164 checkout on the bullseye - before backing it up to extend his advantage to 4-2.
World Championship and Premier League finalist Smith was living off crumbs as he was being royally outplayed by Cross, who went a double break up with a neat 81 finish. The Hastings thrower completed the job to make it 11 wins from 14 matches against Bully Boy.
The Iceman has been showing red-hot form and remains the only player yet to taste defeat in this year's competition. Welshman Price preserved his unbeaten record against Suljovic with some sumptuous finishing.
Price took out checkouts of 107 and 127 on his way to maximum points against the Austrian, who is now appears to be embroiled in a battle to avoid the drop.
There was quite an atmosphere in the Granite City for the arrival of Barney to the stage, but despite winning the opening leg the departing Dutchman crashed to another defeat to leave him rock bottom.
The five-time World Champion was aiming to move off the foot of the table but Wright produced some of the best darts of his Premier League campaign - averaging 106.46 - to secure a second victory and move on to six points.
The Premier League heads to the Motorpoint Arena, in Nottingham on Thursday, March 14. You can also stay up to date with all the action by following us @SkySportsDarts and get all the latest news, previews and interviewswww.skysports.com/darts
