Reigning Unibet Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen produced a scintillating performance to beat Gary Anderson 7-3 at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle on Thursday evening, as he bounced back from defeat to Peter Wright last week in Cardiff, while Michael Smith and Simon Whitlock continued their fine start to this year's event by recording their third win in three matches.
van Gerwen vs Anderson was billed as the standout match of the night, and it didn't disappoint with both sides averaging over 110 in the ten legs played, but it was world number one van Gerwen that managed to take the two points, as he sparkled on the oche to record his second win of the Premier League.
Michael Smith was expected to struggle in the Premier League on his debut, but the 'Bully Boy' shone on the big stage once again, as he beat fellow newcomer Mensur Suljovic, who is winless after three games, 7-2 in the first match of the night in the north east, while Whitlock ended the evening with a stunning 7-4 win over Raymond van Barneveld to match Smith's 100% record, and it's the 'Wizard' that is currently topping the leaderboard as the Premier League moves to Berlin next week.
There was a controversial end to Rob Cross' win over Peter Wright, as Wright chose not to shake the hand of 7-4 winner Cross, who was recording his first win of this year's Premier League, having stormed into the limelight over the festive period with his World Championship win.
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On another entertaining evening of world class darts, the other game of the night saw Daryl Gurney draw 6-6 with Gerwyn Price, and it's the latter that will leave Newcastle in high spirits, as 'Gezzy' found himself 5-1 behind 'Super Chin' at one point in their match, but Price managed to work his way back into the match before finally grabbing himself an unlikely draw.
Next Thursday will see the Unibet Premier League head across Europe to Berlin, as the competition begins to hot up, and the darting stars begin to get used to the 12-legged matches again.
Unibet Premier League
Night Three Results
Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Mensur Suljovic 2-7 Michael Smith
Daryl Gurney 6-6 Gerwyn Price
Peter Wright 4-7 Rob Cross
Gary Anderson 3-7 Michael van Gerwen
Simon Whitlock 7-4 Raymond van Barneveld
