Betway Premier League Night Four

CHISNALL MOVES JOINT-TOP WITH BELFAST SUPER-SHOW AGAINST HUYBRECHTS

DAVE CHISNALL joined Michael van Gerwen at the top of the Betway Premier League table with a brilliant 7-4 win over Kim Huybrechts in Belfast on Thursday, as the Dutchman hit back to draw with Adrian Lewis at the Odyssey Arena.

Chisnall maintained his unbeaten start to the season with a sensational display as he matched Huybrechts' 107 average but produced the key finishes at the vital time.

After Huybrechts won the opening, Chisnall landed seven perfect darts - including two 180s - as he levelled before adding another maximum as he finished 90 on the bull to break, and a double top finish moved him 3-1 up.

Huybrechts won two of the next three to cut the gap only for an 11-darter to edge Chisnall 5-3 up - but the Belgian then almost produced a moment of history in the ninth leg, missing double 12 for a nine-darter.

He returned to finish double four to cut the gap to 5-4, but Chisnall landed scores of 180 and 174 as he denied his rival the chance to level with a 13-darter before sealing an impressive win with a sixth maximum in an 11-dart finish.

"I'm really happy with that," said Chisnall. "I played well there, that's probably the best I've ever played in the Premier League and we both performed tonight.

"In the last few weeks I've not been hitting the treble 20s but I've been finishing well, and it all combined tonight. I'm happy to still be unbeaten and it would have been great for everyone watching."

Van Gerwen also sits on seven points in the league table after he maintained his unbeaten start to the season, although his winning run was ended as he battled back from 5-2 down to draw with Adrian Lewis.

Despite an early 11-darter from the world number one, Lewis took out finishes of 112, 70 in back-to-back legs and 82 as he took a three-leg advantage at 5-2.

Van Gerwen followed up an 82 finish of his own with a brilliant ten-darter as he pulled back to 5-4, and though Lewis sealed a point with a 14-darter, the Dutch ace took the game's final two legs in 14 and 13 darts to share the spoils.

Van Gerwen ended the contest with a three-dart average of 106 to Lewis' 98, and said: "After being 5-2 down then you're happy with a point, but I think I was the better player.

"Adrian showed his class and finished really well, and he showed why he's a player in the world's top four, but I fought back really well and have something to build on."

The draw moves Lewis onto four league points as he was forced to settle for a point for a second successive week, and he said: "I'm disappointed not to take the win but his 80 finish was a massive shot.

"To get into the lead like I did at 5-2 it feels like a defeat, but I've got to take it on the chin and move on to next week. I'm happy with my form but I lost a lot of rhythm.

"I've started to slow down a bit on my doubles and that came into my scoring as well, so I've got to get the right balance."

World Champion Gary Anderson sits third in the league table after picking up his third victory of the season with a 7-4 comeback win over James Wade in a battle of former Premier League champions.

Wade raced into a 2-0 lead and also led 3-1 before Anderson turned the game on its head with finishes of 67, for a 14-darter, and 11-dart leg and double 11 to take the lead.

The left-hander levelled in the eighth leg, but Anderson fired in a superb 13-darter, broke with a 71 finish on double ten before sealing victory by following a 174 score with a 92 finish for a 14-dart leg.

"It felt a bit scrappy but I'm glad I got the win and to win three of the first four then is definitely a good start," said Anderson.

"I started hitting my doubles well but James didn't finish as well as he usually does. Last week against Michael was a game which I shouldn't have lost, and this was nip and tuck so I'm happy to pinch it."

Phil Taylor sits in fourth place on five points after he drew with Peter Wright, who took out a 14-dart finish in the deciding leg of their contest to claim his second point of the season.

Wright landed an 11-darter and finished 64 for a break of throw as he took a 3-2 lead, with Taylor regaining the advantage but paying for four missed doubles to break in the eight as his rival levelled at four-all.

Neither was able to find a break in the final four legs, as Wright picked up a draw for the second successive week.

"Phil's scoring was great in the first half of the match but I battled on, like I did last week against Raymond van Barneveld, and held onto his coat-tails," said Wright.

"I had to work hard for that because I was playing the best player on the planet, so it's a good point for me."

Taylor said: "I'm bit annoyed with myself because I chucked a point away, and that could be precious towards the end of the year. I had my chances and I didn't take them, and it was a struggle.

"I missed some doubles and Peter took advantage of that - he finished quite well - but it's up to me to rectify that.

"Peter took his chances and hit his doubles, and that's what the top players are doing when they get chance, but I'll get better over the next few months."

The night's other game saw reigning champion Raymond van Barneveld claim a 7-4 win over Stephen Bunting, who battled back from 4-0 down against the Dutchman only to slip to a third loss of his debut season.

Van Barneveld capitalised on his opponent's early missed doubles to win the opening four legs without reply, and he also led 5-1 before Bunting finished double four, double nine and double six to cut the gap to one leg.

The St Helens ace, though, missed one dart at tops to level in the tenth leg as van Barneveld posted double ten to edge 6-4 up before he took out 96 for a 14-darter in the next to claim his first win of the season.

"I'm pleased to get the win because I've blown my chances in other games but I took them tonight," said van Barneveld. "Stephen missed an amazing amount of doubles and let me in, and I'm happy with this.

"Every week's a battle because there are so many great players. The averages don't mean anything - it's about hitting doubles and winning."

The Betway Premier League season continues next week at the Westpoint Arena in Exeter, with the games including Chisnall taking on Anderson, Taylor's clash with Wade and van Gerwen meeting Wright.

Tickets are still available by calling 08444 99 99 55 or online via www.ticketzone.co.uk .

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Betway Premier League
Night Four, Thursday February 26
Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Kim Huybrechts 4-7 Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson 7-4 James Wade
Michael van Gerwen 6-6 Adrian Lewis
Stephen Bunting 4-7 Raymond van Barneveld
Phil Taylor 6-6 Peter Wright

Latest League Table

After Week Four	P	W	D	L	Legs +/-	Pts
Michael van Gerwen	4	3	1	0	+11	7
Dave Chisnall	4	3	1	0	+11	7
Gary Anderson	4	3	0	1	+8	6
Phil Taylor	4	2	1	1	+9	5
James Wade	4	1	2	1	+2	4
Adrian Lewis	4	1	2	1	+1	4
Raymond van Barneveld	4	1	1	2	-5	3
Peter Wright	4	0	2	2	-12	2
Kim Huybrechts	4	0	1	3	-12	1
Stephen Bunting	4	0	1	3	-13	1

MATCH INFORMATION
Kim Huybrechts v Dave Chisnall
1-0 - Huybrechts lands a nerve-settling 180 before taking out 62 on double 16 to win the opening leg.
1-1 - Chisnall raises hopes of a nine-darter with two 180s before landing another treble 20 in his attempt for a 141 finish, but his miss at treble 19 sees his hopes of a perfect leg dashed, before he returns to win the leg on double ten.
1-2 - Chisnall opens with 180 and 135 as he continues to pound the treble 20, and when Huybrechts wires the bull to finish 164 he steps in to his the same middle double to take out 90 for a break.
1-3 - Chisnall moves two legs clear as he continues his strong scoring before taking out tops for a break of throw.
2-3 - Huybrechts hits back with a superb leg as he fires in a ten-darter, scoring 180, 137 and 168 before landing double eight - taking his average up to 113 to match Chisnall's three-dart mean.
2-4 - Chisnall initially misses double top in double five, but two misses at tops from Huybrechts allow him back in to land double 15 - at the third time of asking - to regain his cushion and avert a possible break of throw.
3-4 - Huybrechts hits back by finishing 41 on double 16.
3-5 - Chisnall scores 180, 125 and 140 before finishing 56 on tops for an 11-darter to continue a superb contest.
4-5 - HUYBRECHTS MISSES DOUBLE 12 FOR A NINE-DARTER! The Belgian kicks off with two 180s and then scores another treble 20 and the treble 19 on the 141 combination, before missing the double 12 in the single nine bed - but he returns to land double four.
4-6 - Chisnall secures at least a point - and remains unbeaten - as he takes out a 13-darter, scoring 180 and 174 in successive visits as he sets up double 16.
4-7 - Chisnall's sixth 180 comes at a superb time as he leaves 100, and when Huybrechts is unable to take the leg the St Helens man takes out 100 for an 11-darter - incredibly both players end the game with the same identical average of 107.01!

Dave Chisnall Video Interview

Match Stats

Kim Huybrechts	4-7	Dave Chisnall
17	100+	10
8	140+	5
0	170+	1
4	180	6
107.01	Average	107.01
62	High Finish	100
0	Breaks of Throw	2
4/11 - 36%	Checkout %	7/12 - 58%

Gary Anderson v James Wade
0-1 - Wade lands a 180 before finishing 84 on double 11 for an immediate break of throw.
0-2 - The 2009 champion takes out 60 to move two legs up.
1-2 - Anderson initially misses four darts to win the leg, but Wade is unable to finish tops to allow him back in to claim his first leg of the game, taking out double one.
1-3 - Anderson opens the leg with a 180, but is punished for two misses at tops when Wade steps in to hit the same bed to finish 54.
2-3 - Anderson finishes 67 on double eight for a 14-darter to respond with his second leg.
3-3 - The World Champion levels with a brilliant 11-darter, scoring 180, 140 and 170 before taking out the remaining 11 to break throw.
4-3 - Anderson moves ahead for the first time, initially missing double 11 before returning to hit the bed - albeit after Wade misses double 16 to take out 146.
4-4 - Anderson lands his third maximum, but Wade is first to a finish as double ten sees him level.
5-4 - Anderson scores 180, 140 and 140 before taking out double ten for a 13-darter to regain the edge.
6-4 - Anderson finishes 71 on double ten to break throw and secure a minimum of a point.
7-4 - The Scot fires in a 174 score to leave 92 before finishing the combination for a 14-darter to seal a fine comeback win.

Gary Anderson Video Interview

Match Stats

Gary Anderson	7-4	James Wade
15	100+	10
6	140+	8
2	170+	0
4	180	2
98.64	Average	94.60
92	High Finish	84
2	Breaks of Throw	1
7/20 - 35%	Checkout %	4/8 - 50%

Michael van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis
1-0 - van Gerwen finishes 80 to take the opening leg.
1-1 - Lewis takes out 112 to level the game.
2-1 - van Gerwen sets up a possible nine-darter with 177 and 180, and though he misses out on a perfect leg later returns to pin double 16 for an 11-darter.
2-2 - van Gerwen fires in another maximum but Lewis takes out 70 to level.
2-3 - Lewis breaks throw by finishing 70 for a second successive leg, as double four moves him ahead.
2-4 - Lewis fires in a second maximum of the game, with van Gerwen scoring 168 to leave 16 only to see the Stoke star finish 82 on tops to move two legs clear.
2-5 - Lewis misses the bull for a 130 finish, but returns to land double eight to break throw for a second time and win a fourth successive leg.
3-5 - The pair trade 180s before van Gerwen scrambles home an 82 finish on double 12 to hit back.
4-5 - van Gerwen closes the gap to one leg with a brilliant ten-dart leg, scoring 140, 180 and 149 before finishing double 16 at the first time of asking.
4-6 - Lewis lands double 16 for a 14-darter to ensure a minimum of a draw from the game.
5-6 - Lewis fires in a 180 to leave 82 as he bids to seal victory, only for van Gerwen to take out 80 for a 14-darter to send the game into a deciding 12th leg.
6-6 - van Gerwen opens with his sixth 180 of the game before finishing tops for a 13-darter to snatch a draw - with the Dutchman ending the game with a 106.28 average.

Michael van Gerwen Video Interview

Match Stats

Michael van Gerwen	6-6	Adrian Lewis
6	100+	16
12	140+	5
1	170+	0
6	180	4
106.28	Average	98.32
82	High Finish	112
2	Breaks of Throw	2
6/9 - 67%	Checkout %	6/10 - 60%

Stephen Bunting v Raymond van Barneveld
0-1 - Bunting misses six darts at doubles to allow van Barneveld in on tops for an immediate break of throw.
0-2 - van Barneveld lands a 180 and finishes 74 on tops to double his lead.
0-3 - The reigning champion breaks throw again as he moves three legs up.
0-4 - Double five gives van Barneveld a fourth successive leg.
1-4 - van Barneveld lands a maximum, but misses the bull to finish 121 as Bunting steps in to take out 78 on double 12 to get off the mark.
1-5 - The Dutchman takes out 81 on double 12 to move onto five legs.
2-5 - Double four sees Bunting claim his second leg of the contest.
3-5 - van Barneveld misses double 18 and nine, and Bunting finishes 61 on double nine for his first break of throw in the game.
4-5 - Bunting initially misses three darts at doubles, but van Barneveld is unable to capitalise on double 18 as the Premier League newcomer returns on double six.
4-6 - Bunting sees a chance to level the game go begging as he misses tops to take out 74, allowing the reigning champion in to land double ten as he secures a minimum of a point.
4-7 - Bunting scores his first maximum of the game but can only wait on a double as van Barneveld takes out 96 to claim victory.

Match Stats

Stephen Bunting	4-7	Raymond van Barneveld
16	100+	15
8	140+	10
0	170+	0
1	180	3
91.08	Average	97.50
78	High Finish	96
1	Breaks of Throw	3
4/22 - 18%	Checkout %	7/15 - 47%

Phil Taylor v Peter Wright
1-0 - Wright lands a 180, but it comes too late to prevent Taylor finishing 42 for a 14-darter.
1-1 - Wright finishes 89 on double 16 to level the contest.
2-1 - Tops sees Taylor edge back ahead.
2-2 - Both players open with 180s before Wright follows up with scores of 140 and 130 before finishing 51 for a sparkling 11-darter.
2-3 - Taylor misses double top for a 160 finish, and Wright takes out 64 on double 16 to break and move ahead.
3-3 - Taylor fires in a 174 score before finishing double top for a break to level the game.
4-3 - Double 16 sees Taylor - who is averaging over 110 - move back into the lead.
4-4 - Taylor misses four darts at double top and ten to claim another break of throw, allowing Wright back in on tops to square the contest.
5-4 - Wright wires the bull for a 161 finish, and Taylor steps in to finish 68 on double 16 to claim a potentially key leg.
5-5 - Wright lands double top to tie the game once more, creating a decisive final two legs.
6-5 - Taylor opens with a 180 and finishes double eight for a 14-darter to seal at least a draw from the game.
6-6 - Wright snatches a draw, scoring 180 and 131 to set up 32 after 12 darts before landing double eight to seal a point.

Match Stats