UK Darts Issue 14 - May 2014 | Page 12

Premier League: Week 13 The NIA in Birmingham was the venue for the Betway Premier League on Thursday 1st May, and with five players still chasing the play-off spots it was all to play for. The Dutch duo of Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld had all but qualified, but there was still the matter of who would top the league to settle as they prepared for matches against Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor respectively. Both Anderson and Taylor had a lot to play for themselves as both were still in the play-off hunt, as was Peter Wright who prepared to take on Adrian Lewis. Robert Thornton 7-5 Dave Chisnall Thornton took the opening leg in thirteen darts as he landed two 180s, only for Chisnall to reply with the next two legs as the pair traded 180s. Thornton broke back in the fourth leg to level the match at 2-2, before the pair shared a further seven maximums as the next seven legs all went with throw, taking Thornton to the six legs that he needed to secure a first point. The former UK Open champion then went on to secure both points, landing his ninth maximum, to keep his hopes of finishing off the foot of the table alive. “I can’t make the top four but I want to finish as strongly as I Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig