Premier League Hopes are Thin for the Chin - Night 13 Results
Daryl Gurney's Unibet Premier League Play-off hopes were left hanging by a thread despite a fighting display against World No 1 Michael van Gerwen.
Superchin came back in style against MVG to force a draw in their vital clash at the Manchester Arena last night.
But it’s still unlikely to be enough for the Derry ace to make the top four and Play-Offs at the O2 in London next month.
Gurney, 32, admitted: “It’s a good point tonight but probably too little too late. It’s a bit frustrating because on any other Premier League night a point against Michael would be a very good result.
“I’m pleased to have come back from 3-1 down to go ahead but I needed the win to keep up the pressure on the boys above me in the table.
“I’m now relying on them losing to stand any chance of making the top four. But I’ll still keep going until I’ve no chance.
“If I don’t make it to the O2 then fifth place is still pretty decent for my first year - and I want to make sure I finish strongly with two more matches to play.”
Gurney took out three legs on the spin to make it 4-3 after MVG had taken the early running. Then it was nip and tuck with the Dutchman re-taking the lead at 5-4.
But a marvellous 156 kill from Gurney levelled it up and then took the lead again with double 16. However, MVG kept his nerve to hang onto to his throw and draw the match 6-6.
Gary Anderson's Unibet Premier League destiny will go down to the final two matches after a shock defeat to Simon Whitlock. The Flying Scotsman crashed 7-5 to the Wizard of Oz after a strangely patchy performance in Birmingham last night. Ando just didn’t settle with a string of wayward darts and that allowed Whitlock, who had only won six legs in four matches prior to the clash, to grab his first win in over a month. Anderson admitted: “It was just one of those nights I guess. I couldn’t get going and Simon took his chances. “I thought I was going to get back into it and maybe grab an ugly draw. But I missed a chance at the end and fair play to Simon, he took that opportunity. “In the Premier League you need to turn up every week with your A game and I couldn’t tonight. Onto next week and forget this one.”
Michael Smith inflicted yet another 7-1 defeat over Peter Wright with a slick performance in the opening encounter. Bully Boy averaged 104.86 as he ripped apart Snakebite who sporting a yellow and black mohican in a tribute to the Manchester Bee. However it was Smith buzzing at the end. He said: “I started really well and my doubles were really good tonight. I knew coming here that a point could have been good enough to see me through, but I’ve got two so far. “I’m not going to wish anyone to get beat. I like Daryl Gurney and Barney but I’ve done my job tonight.”
Rob Cross ground out a 6-6 draw with Raymond van Barneveld which all but booked his place in the finals and ended RVB’s hopes. After a scrappy match, Voltage admitted: “I have to admit it was a weird and strange game. It started off slow, got a bit better and then got worse. I’m happy with a point in fairness. It wasn’t the best game what Barney and I are capable of but a point’s a point. “The final leg I played was probably the best when I really needed it. It was just odd. I just thought to get myself to final leg and draw.” “The Premier League has been very different for me to approach. You go out and you play for points instead of a knockout and that’s odd psychologically sometimes.”
By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia) Photography courtesy of Lawrence Lustig / PDC
Gary Anderson's Unibet Premier League destiny will go down to the final two matches after a shock defeat to Simon Whitlock. The Flying Scotsman crashed 7-5 to the Wizard of Oz after a strangely patchy performance in Birmingham last night. Ando just didn’t settle with a string of wayward darts and that allowed Whitlock, who had only won six legs in four matches prior to the clash, to grab his first win in over a month. Anderson admitted: “It was just one of those nights I guess. I couldn’t get going and Simon took his chances. “I thought I was going to get back into it and maybe grab an ugly draw. But I missed a chance at the end and fair play to Simon, he took that opportunity. “In the Premier League you need to turn up every week with your A game and I couldn’t tonight. Onto next week and forget this one.”
Michael Smith inflicted yet another 7-1 defeat over Peter Wright with a slick performance in the opening encounter. Bully Boy averaged 104.86 as he ripped apart Snakebite who sporting a yellow and black mohican in a tribute to the Manchester Bee. However it was Smith buzzing at the end. He said: “I started really well and my doubles were really good tonight. I knew coming here that a point could have been good enough to see me through, but I’ve got two so far. “I’m not going to wish anyone to get beat. I like Daryl Gurney and Barney but I’ve done my job tonight.”
Rob Cross ground out a 6-6 draw with Raymond van Barneveld which all but booked his place in the finals and ended RVB’s hopes. After a scrappy match, Voltage admitted: “I have to admit it was a weird and strange game. It started off slow, got a bit better and then got worse. I’m happy with a point in fairness. It wasn’t the best game what Barney and I are capable of but a point’s a point. “The final leg I played was probably the best when I really needed it. It was just odd. I just thought to get myself to final leg and draw.” “The Premier League has been very different for me to approach. You go out and you play for points instead of a knockout and that’s odd psychologically sometimes.”
By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia) Photography courtesy of Lawrence Lustig / PDC