Michael van Gerwen retained top spot in the Premier League with another victory and another incredible performance as he dismantled Dave Chisnall 7-2 on night six at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.
Van Gerwen averaged 113.47, hitting three maximums and two 177’s to overcame an under-par ‘Chizzy’, who is becoming embroiled in a relegation scrap. MvG kicked off proceedings in sensational style with an 11-dart break of throw. However, Chisnall responded strongly, breaking back on D10 in 14-darts.
‘The Yellow Peril’ was scoring well in the early stages, but van Gerwen secured the third successive break of throw in the match with an inspired 134 checkout. ‘The Green Machine’ then restored a two-leg cushion with a classy 12-darter, culminating with a clinical 105 finish.
Van Gerwen clinched his third leg in succession along with his third ton-plus checkout in succession, by taking out 100 with consummate ease, for his second straight 12-dart leg. The world number one spurned opportunities for an 11-darter in the sixth leg, eventually converting D14 for a 13-darter and a commanding 5-1 advantage.
Chisnall doubled his tally by hitting D5 after an uncharacteristically mediocre leg from Michael, although the irrepressible Dutchman clicked back into gear instantly, hitting D12 to guarantee a point, after the pair had traded maximums.
Chisnall was clearly rattled by MvG’s unrelenting brilliance and the 26-year-old from Boxtel clinched an emphatic 7-2 triumph in 12-darts; following up his third maximum of the content by pinning D16 for a regulation 41 checkout. The biggest compliment you can give Michael is that he averaged over 113 and appeared to be playing within himself!
Elsewhere, Phil Taylor secured his fifth consecutive league victory with a 7-0 whitewash over a struggling Robert Thornton. ‘The Power’ averaged 102.15 and hit five maximums to leave ‘The Thorn’ still searching for his first win of the campaign.
The decisive moment came in the third leg when Thornton failed to take out 40 in three darts, hitting the single 1 with his first dart at D2o. Taylor wasn’t at his vintage best but he maintained his push for a play-off place with another clinical display . Thornton meanwhile, is staring relegation in the face unless his form improves dramatically.
Adrian Lewis continues to impress as he overcame Peter Wright in an extremely high-quality tussle. Jackpot averaged 107.93 and recorded five maximums to condemn Wright to his second successive league defeat, despite Snakebite averaging 107 himself.
The key turning point came in the fourth leg, with Wright poised to reduce the deficit to 4-3. Lewis produced an inspired 136 checkout to establish a commanding 5-2 lead and despite Wright breaking back instantly, Peter failed to take out 61 to reduce the arrears to 5-4, enabling Adrian to reel off the final two legs to secure an emphatic 7-3 win.
Gary Anderson secured his third league victory in succession, beating Michael Smith 7-3 in a battle between master and apprentice. ‘The Flying Scotsman’ averaged 102.19 and recorded an impressive 58% on the doubles as he defeated his young St Helen’s protégé, who is now in serious peril of suffering elimination in week nine.
Five of the opening six legs went against the throw but Smith was extremely competitive in the opening exchanges, with his average exceeding 105 at one stage. Nevertheless, with Anderson a break ahead at 4-3, ‘Bully-Boy’ momentarily lost his scoring power and the world-champion exploited Smith’s blip, winning the final three legs without reply.
Finally, James Wade secured his fourth win of the season as he prevailed 7-5 in a topsy-turvy clash against Raymond van Barneveld. Wade led 5-1 at one stage, but van Barneveld fought back superbly, hitting a majestic 161 checkout in the eighth leg with Wade sat on D12.
Wade recovered to lead 6-3, but the five-time world champion continued to battle away and forced a last-leg decider, albeit with James throwing first. Barney produced a brilliant scoring leg; leaving 86 after just 9 darts, but the Dutchman spurned three darts for a point in the decider, and Wade pounced by taking out 82 on D16 to seal the points.
Betway Premier League
Night Six – March 10
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
Michael Smith 3-7 Gary Anderson
Peter Wright 3-7 Adrian Lewis
Raymond van Barneveld 5-7 James Wade
Robert Thornton 0-7 Phil Taylor
Dave Chisnall 2-7 Michael van Gerwen
| Following Night Six |
P |
W |
D |
L |
+/- |
LWAT |
Pts |
| Michael van Gerwen |
6 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
+20 |
17 |
10 |
| Phil Taylor |
6 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
+19 |
14 |
10 |
| Adrian Lewis |
6 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
+6 |
15 |
8 |
| James Wade |
7 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
15 |
8 |
| Peter Wright |
6 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
+1 |
9 |
7 |
| Gary Anderson |
5 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
+4 |
10 |
6 |
| Raymond van Barneveld |
6 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
-3 |
10 |
4 |
| Dave Chisnall |
6 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
-6 |
12 |
3 |
| Michael Smith |
7 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
-22 |
12 |
3 |
| Robert Thornton |
5 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
-19 |
2 |
1 |
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