Price admits he "bombed" too many MVG chances
GERWYN PRICE admitted he “bombed” too many chances to blow away World Champion Michael van Gerwen.
The Welshman was leading MVG 5-1 in their Unibet Premier League clash in Belfast on Thursday night, only to suffer from a huge fightback.
In the end the Iceman had to settle for a 7-7 draw and still hasn’t beaten the Dutchman in 16 clashes.
Price said: “Before the game I'd have taken a point but I'm still disappointed. I should have beaten him.
“At 4-1 or 5-1 you start to think you've got him right where you want him, but for three legs I went to sleep.
“You always know he's going to come back with something big and he showed that in the last leg, but I bombed a lot of opportunities in that game.
“I'm disappointed but I'm happy in another way - not many people will take points from Michael. It's so close that every point is vital.”
Price was aiming to claim his first career win over the Dutchman, and came from a leg down to lead 5-1 with a superb run, which included a huge 128 bull finish.
Van Gerwen pulled the deficit back to 5-4 and 6-5, but three missed doubles in leg 12 allowed Price to seal a minimum of a point at 7-5.
The World No.1 took out 90 with two double 18s to force a deciding leg, with Price then scoring 140, 135 and 180 only to miss two match darts at tops as Van Gerwen took out 82 to share the spoils.
MVG added: “I missed too many doubles and I shouldn't put myself in that position - at one point I was on 1/11 but I always believe in myself.
“He played really good darts and this game had everything. I hoped I would get one chance and I'm glad he gave me it.”
PETER WRIGHT kept his titles hopes alive with a last-gasp draw against Michael Smith.
The Livingston-born ace snatched a vital 7-7 result against Smith in a thrilling clash at the SSE Arena.
Snakebite had led at one stage but Bully Boy looked to have grabbed the win until Wright secured the point to stay in touch of the top four.
Smith admitted: “I’m pretty annoyed. I blew a lot of chances then. I got a point but it’s better than getting beat.”
Wright always appeared to hanging on to Smith’s coat tails but his fighting spirit paid off. Smith led 2-1 and 3-2 but every time the Scot kept coming back.
Smith just couldn’t seem to get some daylight between them and missed a hatful of darts to go further in front only to let Wright back in.
The Snakebite produced the first break of throw to move in front but threw his chance away before finally claiming the draw in the deciding leg.
ROB CROSS managed to silence Belfast with a stunning 8-4 win over Daryl Gurney on his home soil.
Voltage kept up his sensational Premier League form to deliver 117 and 124 finishes and stay at the top of the table.
He admitted: “I’ve had to do it the hard way for the last couple of matches. I’ve had all the fans against me but I think I’ve dealt with that quite well.
“This is a big result for me. Daryl’s been in fantastic form and to beat him in front of his home fans is a decent win.
“I’m happy plodding away. My form has been very consistent apart from two blips. I feel like I’m getting closer and closer to the old Rob Cross.
“The good thing is that I still feel I have a couple of more gears to go up. If I can do this I’ll be in pretty good shape.”
MENSUR SULJOVIC continued his fine form to beat James Wade 8-6 - and is now in a great position to reach the O2 Play-Off finals night.
Suljovic said: “It’s a brilliant feeling. I was losing 2-0 and I just thought I must focus on my own game. This is a big problem for me on the stage.
“James is a brilliant player, every day is different. I’m so happy I beat him. I’m in the top three but no I think I will be top five. I can’t win this, this is big difference for me right now!”
By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)