Friday 27 February 2015 10:25, UK
Michael van Gerwen retained top spot in the Premier League, despite being held to a 6-6 draw by Adrian Lewis in Belfast.
The Stoke man appeared set to inflict a first defeat on the Dutchman, but the world No 1 fought back from 5-2 down to secure a point.
In an dramatic opening, Lewis raced through a 112 checkout, while van Gerwen responded with a sizzling 11-dart leg.
But ‘Mighty Mike’ could not match his opponent’s composed finishing and ‘Jackpot’ racked up three legs in a row, landing double eight for a 5-2 advantage.
With his unbeaten record under threat, Van Gerwen came roaring back and a 10-dart leg cut the deficit to 4-5.
Lewis edged closer with double 16, but was forced to settle for a draw as MVG snatched the next two legs, pinching a point on double top.
Sitting behind Van Gerwen in second place is Dave Chisnall, who defeated Kim Huybrechts 7-4 in a high quality encounter.
Both players finished with averages of over 107 and Huybrechts narrowly missed out on a nine-darter, excitedly sending his final dart well wide of double 12.
The Belgian still took the leg, cutting his opponent's lead to 5-4, but 'Chizzy' captured the next two as he closed the show with an ice-cool 100 checkout.
Gary Anderson remains among the early pacesetters as he grinded out a 7-4 win over James Wade.
After a sluggish start the Scot trailed 3-1 and snapped out of his lethargy in the next two legs, taking them with 14 and then 11 darts.
Wade was becoming increasingly wayward at the doubles and Anderson eventually closed out victory with a composed 92 checkout.
Peter Wright is still searching for an opening victory, but could take some pride from a hard-fought 6-6 draw with Phil Taylor.
‘Snakebite’ has never suffered a Premier League defeat to Taylor and this record appeared in danger when ‘The Power’ took out double eight for a 6-5 advantage.
But Wright had refused to give ground throughout and fittingly finished on the same double to grab a share of the spoils.
In a battle of two strugglers, Raymond van Barneveld claimed his first victory of the campaign as Stephen Bunting slipped to a 7-4 defeat.
‘Barney’ seemed to be losing his grip on the match when Bunting cut the deficit to 5-4, although the Dutchman swiftly hit back then held his nerve in the decisive 96 checkout.
