Monthly Archives: May 2018

Gary Anderson will be aiming to secure his place in the Unibet Premier League Play-Offs in front of a passionate Scottish crowd as the league season ends at The BHGE Arena in Aberdeen on Thursday.

Team Unicorn’s two-time Premier League Champion needs to win just three legs against Michael van Gerwen to guarantee his place at The O2 on May 17.

Anderson’s only rival for the final top four spot is Daryl Gurney, who must win at least 7-2 against Peter Wright and hope league leader Van Gerwen records a big win over the Scot.

The 47-year-old will be hoping to bounce back from defeats to Simon Whitlock and Raymond van Barneveld in the past fortnight to join Van Gerwen, Michael Smith and Rob Cross in the Play-Offs.

"Obviously Michael will be a tough opponent,” said Anderson, who won the Premier League in 2011 and 2015.

"I've just got to make sure I do enough to get to The O2 without any dramas.

"It's all about producing at the right

Michael Barnard and Adam Huckvale enjoyed PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour victories as the year’s third double-header weekend concluded in Wigan on Sunday.

Barnard claimed his third Challenge Tour win of the year, while Huckvale became the tenth different winner in 2018 from a dozen tournaments.

The winner of Saturday’s Event Ten, Barnard overcame veteran Andy Jenkins 5-3 in the final in Wigan to complete his weekend double with a second £2,000 title.

The 41-year-old recorded whitewash 5-0 wins over Sam Booth and Jamie Kelling in the opening two rounds, before beating Eddie Lovely 5-1 to progress to the last 32.

A 5-3 win over Kevin Garcia was then followed by a 5-2 triumph over Jay Foreman as Barnard reached the quarter-finals.

Barnard beat Cameron Menzies 5-2 in the last eight, before recording a 5-3 win against Dennis Nilsson - who threw a nine-dart leg during Event Ten on Saturday - to set up a final with Jenkins.

In Event

James Wade fell at the final hurdle at the European Darts Grand Prix.

The Unicorn star lost Sunday night’s final 8-3 to Michael van Gerwen as the World No.1 collected yet another Euro Tour title.

For Wade, it is now two years since his last tournament victory, but he can still be thrilled with another fine performance as his 2018 renaissance continued in Sindelfingen.

Wade’s recent form is a clear sign that he is close to another title. “I am heading in the right direction,” he said. “I’m not there yet but I am getting there and all the signs are very encouraging for me.”

After seven legs, he only trailed 4-3 with both players averaging around the 109 mark. Wade hit a 121 on the bull, only for Van Gerwen to reply with a 161 finish.

But from that moment, Van Gerwen took control as he won four straight legs to take the title with an end average of nearly 111.

Earlier Wade hit a brilliant 117 check-out

Michael Smith has done it! The Unicorn man has made it to the Premier League semi-finals!

But Gary Anderson still has work to do to qualify after a heavy defeat at the hands of Raymond van Barneveld in Birmingham.

Smith earned the point that clinched his place at the O2 in a thrilling draw with Daryl Gurney.

Anderson’s fate is still in his own hands. The Scot is still a big favourite to qualify. He is two points clear of Gurney and has a far superior leg difference of +12 over the Irishman.

Heading to Aberdeen for the last week of the regular PL season, Gurney plays Wright and has to secure a big win and hope Anderson suffers a heavy defeat against Michael Van Gerwen. It is still all to play for, but Gary knows what is required in Scotland next week!

He never really got going after going 3-0 down to Van Barneveld.

But hats off to Michael Smith. He is second in the table, a point clear of Rob Cross after that six apiece result against