Michael Smith got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion as the Premier League hit Nottingham.
Smith was ruthless as he punished an out-of-sorts Peter Wright 7-1. It’s now five wins out of six for the Unicorn man.
But fellow Unicorn star Gary Anderson will be a relieved man after claiming a dramatic draw with Raymond van Barneveld.
Smith stays in second spot in the table after Michael van Gerwen’s 7-3 win over Gerwyn Price saw the Dutchman in top spot on leg difference.
“I know Peter was struggling but I had to focus on what I was doing,” he said. “I came into this desperate to do well. I won’t be eliminated and once Judgement Night is out of the way, I will focus on the top four.”
Smith kicked off with a 13 darter and led 2-0. Wright was hampered by a shoulder problem and when he missed four darts to level at two apiece, the St Helens star seized control. He won five consecutive legs and is in a great position to qualify for a semi-final spot.
But his mentor Gary Anderson had to settle for a third straight draw and for the second week, the Scot had to win the last two legs to earn a point.
He started superbly with a 171 setting up a 13 darter to break. Anderson then nailed finishes of 105 and 117 and he broke again and was 4-2 in front. But Van Barneveld was also playing well. He won four legs on the spin, including seven perfect darts in the 8th leg.
At 6-4 though, Barney missed five darts to win and Anderson managed to force a last leg. The Unicorn ace completed the latest ‘Great Escape’ with a brilliant 144 check-out. It may yet turn out to be a priceless point!
Elsewhere Rob Cross made it four wins on the spin. The World Champion averaged 106 in his 7-2 win over Mensur Suljovic.
Daryl Gurney is still searching for a first Premier League win. The 6-6 result with Simon Whitlock was the Irishman’s fourth draw.
Nottingham results:
Michael Smith 7-1 Peter Wright
Simon Whitlock 6-6 Daryl Gurney
Mensur Suljovic 2-7 Rob Cross
Gerwyn Price 3-7 Michael van Gerwen
Raymond van Barneveld 6-6 Gary Anderson
Night 8 Glasgow:
Daryl Gurney v Mensur Suljovic
Michael van Gerwen v Michael Smith
Gary Anderson v Simon Whitlock
Peter Wright v Raymond van Barneveld
Rob Cross v Gerwyn Price
By STUART PYKE
Image courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC
