Premier League: Week 13
this point, allowing van Gerwen to take the next two legs, but despite
both men opening the eleventh leg with 180s it was Anderson who took
it, sealing two points as he continued his play-off charge.
Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
“I’ve got two games left that I’ve got to win and I’d love to make it
into the play-offs,” said Anderson. “I won the Premier League in my
first year, and to win this again would be the icing on the cake after a
couple of difficult years.”
“This was the usual scenario for me - I got in front and then lost a
couple of legs that I shouldn’t have lost, but I got there in the end.”
“Losing to Michael in the World Championship was a kick up the backside
for me and it made me want to get back up to the top, and I’m doing
well. I love shutting the critics up and I’m not quite finished yet!”
Adrian Lewis 6-6 Peter Wright
Wright had the better start of the two players, taking a 2-0 lead despite
Lewis hitting his first maximum in the second leg.
Lewis had soon levelled up at 2-2 and the pair shared the next four
legs on throw to move on to 4-4. It was Lewis who had the momentum
however, and he secured the next to legs to take a point, only for
Wright to respond by taking the final two legs of the match to keep his
play-off drive alive.
“I’ve got two
games left that
I’ve got to win and
I’d love to make it
into the play-offs”
Gary Anderson
“It’s another point and I’m still fighting to try and qualify for the
play-offs,” said Wright. “I was a bit disappointed in my game tonight
because I expected to come out and blow Adrian away, but that’s how
it goes sometimes.”
“I’d been playing really well in practice and I expected to perform
better on stage, but next week’s another great chance when I play Phil
in Newcastle and I’m already looking forward to that.”
Phil Taylor 7-2 Dave Chisnall
Taylor was back to top form by this point in the season and he showed
this by racing into a 5-0 lead, and whilst Chisnall got off the mark in the
sixth leg the sixteen-time World Champion had soon secured a point.
Chisnall again delayed the inevitable by closing the gap to 6-2, but it
was a supreme Taylor who wrapped the match up in only the ninth leg
as he finished up with a 102 average.
“I’m really pleased to get three points tonight,” said Taylor. “I wanted
four points coming here tonight but I would have taken three all day
long, and I’m in there in the top four with a chance of qualifying.”
“I was practising brilliantly tonight but then I went up on stage against
Barney and got nervous because I’m fighting for my life and I knew I
was in for a tough game.”
“I wanted four
points coming
here tonight but I
would have taken
three all day long,
and I’m in there
in the top four
with a chance of
qualifying”
Phil Taylor