Premier League Night 15 Round-up - Aberdeen
Gary Anderson produced an epic performance to dump Michael van Gerwen - and avoid his big Dutch rival in the Premier League semi-finals.
The Flying Scotsman beat MVG 7-5 to finish third in the table and send the Dartan Army wild in the BHGE Arena in Aberdeen last night.
Ando was at his most majestic with sensational finishing and scoring to inflict his first win over MVG in the PL for three years.
He now faces his protege Michael Smith in next week’s semi-final and said: “I would have preferred to have played MVG not Michael to be honest.
“I reckon Aberdeen was louder than Rotterdam. This crowd and Glasgow crowd are incredible for me. Playing in Scotland, you just can’t beat it.
“There were a few chances that I missed and Michael as well. He missed 160 twice and a 170 on the bull.
“I was giving him chances and, if they go in, it’s a different story.
“I’d rather have played MVG in the semi-final, but I feel as though it’s going to be a good week.
“There’s some difference in Michael from two years ago when he got a bit of a raw deal with two games on his first night.
“He’s been absolutely brilliant. I told him after he beat me in our first game that I was going to get him in Rotterdam. Now I’m going to have to do it again.”
MVG took an early 2-1 lead as Anderson missed costly chances but the Scot had the Aberdeen dancing with 66 to level it up.
Then Ando took the roof off the BHGE with a cracking 121 and then madhouse to go 4-2 in front. MVG withstood the jeers and boos to keep his cool and come steaming back to make it 4-4 and you could hear a pin drop.
However, Anderson wasn’t finished. A tops and then a wonderful 112 put him back in control. Van Gerwen grabbed a leg back but the Scot wrapped it up and sent the Dartan Army crazy.
Peter Wright grabbed a draw with Daryl Gurney to book his Scottish World Cup team-mate Gary Anderson’s place in the Play-Offs.
Wright said: “I’m pleased I could do Gary a favour and get the result. I hope he can go to the O2 next week and take his third Premier League title.
“The fans were brilliant again tonight and I really struggled with tummy troubles before the game with nerves so that was tough.
“I’m glad I could come back to get a point for the fans. They were brilliant to me tonight and I’m glad I gave them something to shout about.”
Rob Cross didn’t produce his best performance but snatched an ugly draw with Simon Whitlock after a sloppy night on the doubles. Cross said: “I didn’t play well. If I am honest, I was useless and Simon didn’t play that well. It’s just one of them. “I’ve really enjoyed my first campaign. Have I played my best darts? Probably not. “It’s been a bit of a life change, but I think I’ve coped well with it and I can top it off at the O2. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be great.”
Michael Smith came from 5-4 down to grab a vital 6-6 draw with Raymond van Barneveld and guarantee second spot in the league - despite suffering from pleurisy. Smith admitted: “I’m okay. I was in pain and a bit tired up there, but I have a job to do. I could lie down and roll over with pain, but I wanted to play. “I didn’t play anything like I know I can, but took my chances and that was the main thing. “I felt if I hadn’t played, I would have felt sorry for Daryl. Had Barney been awarded a 7-0 win, Daryl could have ended up sixth if he hadn’t won his match. “I could have done it in the second or third week, but it wouldn’t have been fair on others in the final week. “I had to do it for others and I’ve got 20 points for the season, so I’m happy.”
By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)
Rob Cross didn’t produce his best performance but snatched an ugly draw with Simon Whitlock after a sloppy night on the doubles. Cross said: “I didn’t play well. If I am honest, I was useless and Simon didn’t play that well. It’s just one of them. “I’ve really enjoyed my first campaign. Have I played my best darts? Probably not. “It’s been a bit of a life change, but I think I’ve coped well with it and I can top it off at the O2. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be great.”
Michael Smith came from 5-4 down to grab a vital 6-6 draw with Raymond van Barneveld and guarantee second spot in the league - despite suffering from pleurisy. Smith admitted: “I’m okay. I was in pain and a bit tired up there, but I have a job to do. I could lie down and roll over with pain, but I wanted to play. “I didn’t play anything like I know I can, but took my chances and that was the main thing. “I felt if I hadn’t played, I would have felt sorry for Daryl. Had Barney been awarded a 7-0 win, Daryl could have ended up sixth if he hadn’t won his match. “I could have done it in the second or third week, but it wouldn’t have been fair on others in the final week. “I had to do it for others and I’ve got 20 points for the season, so I’m happy.”
By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)