The big match in this week’s round of matches in Premier League Darts saw Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor come face to face. Taylor’s critics argued the Godfather of darts was far past his best, but Taylor has silenced his critics with a string of impressive performances this tournament. The match between the two heavy weights of the game lived up to expectations, with both players having to settle for a point in a 6-6- draw.
World Champion Gary Anderson had a busy schedule, playing two games last night. After beating Adrian Lewis 7-4, The Flying Scotsman beat Peter Wright 7-5 in a close game as both players enjoyed support from their home crowd. Anderson is now up to third in the table and will be hoping to put pressure on Taylor and van Gerwen in the coming weeks.
James Wade is another player who looks like they could finish in the top four. The Englishman beat Robert Thronton, who is marooned at the bottom of the table and still looking for his first win this season. Dave Chisnall is another player in need of a victory, but his 7-4 defeat to Raymond van Barneveld now means his hopes of finishing in the top four look to be over. Chisnall hasn’t won since the opening round and is in danger of finishing in the bottom two.
There were 34 180’s scored of the night, and although Chisnall wasn’t able to win his match, he will find solace in the fact he scored five maximums. Van Gerwen recorded the highest checkout, 170.
All eyes will once again be on the top three players next week, with Taylor facing Wright, van Gerwen up against Thornton and Anderson taking on Chisnall. The battle at the bottom is also exciting, and it currently looks as though one from Thornton, Chisnall and Michael Smith will make it into the latter stages of the group stage.