Gary Anderson got off the mark in the Premier League in Cardiff while Michael Smith’s winning streak went on.
Anderson’s back problem appears to be improving and it showed as he swept aside Welshman Gerwyn Price 7-3.
“It felt a little easier and I was using some new darts and they were very good, so I will head to Wigan to try to qualify for the UK Open finals and see how it goes,” the Team Unicorn star said.
An average of 100 and a great display from the Scot. After missing ‘tops’ for 160 to break he did take out 104 and after that he dominated. In fact he won six out of eight legs to take the points.
Gary nailed back-to-back 180s to go 5-3 up and another maximum saw him take another leg before he sealed the deal.
So two wins out of two for the impressive Smith.....the Unicorn ace too good for Daryl Gurney as he ran out a 7-4 winner and he is now 2nd in the table behind Simon Whitlock.
“I’m sick and tired of being second best, third best or last. I want to be THE best and I want to prove myself in the Premier League. This was a great two points and already I believe I can qualify for the play-offs,” he said.
Smith raced into a 3-0 lead as he took out 70, 72 and 124 on the bull. Gurney though did fight back to three apiece after Smith had missed three darts for a 4-1 advantage. But there was no panic. From four legs all, Smith took control to close out another great win!
So what about the other action in Cardiff on Thursday night?
Well World Champion Rob Cross endured another nightmare as he was walloped 7-1 by Simon Whitlock. It is a 6th consecutive defeat for Cross who looks drained of any confidence or belief.
And defending Premier League Champion Michael van Gerwen was beaten. Peter Wright was celebrating his first win over the Dutchman in a big TV event in the UK as he ran out a deserved 7-5 victory.
And Raymond van Barneveld won a deciding leg to complete a thrilling win over Mensur Suljovic.
Cardiff results:
Michael Smith 7-4 DarylGurney
Rob Cross 1-7 Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen 5-7 Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price 3-7 Gary Anderson
Raymond van Barneveld 7-5 Mensur Suljovic
Newcastle wk 3 schedule:
Mensur Suljovic v Michael Smith
Daryl Gurney v Gerwyn Price
Peter Wright v Rob Cross
Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen
Simon Whitlock v Raymond van Barneveld
STUART PYKE reporting from Cardiff
Images courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC
