Betway Premier League Aberdeen
Michael van Gerwen finished on top of the Betway Premier League Table as Phil Taylor beats Lewis to take the final spot on the final night of fixtures in Aberdeen, with the Play-Offs next week at the O2.
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN defeated Gary Anderson 7-4 to top the Betway Premier League table for a fifth successive season, as Phil Taylor claimed the final Play-Off place on Thursday in Aberdeen.
Peter Wright’s 7-1 win over Raymond van Barneveld at the GE Oil & Gas Arena had left Van Gerwen needing to defeat Anderson if the Dutchman was to claim the £25,000 League Winner’s Bonus. The world number one rose to the challenge in a scintillating game with Anderson, taking command early on by moving into a 3-1 lead before holding off the Scot’s fightback, which included a 145 checkout.
Taylor had earlier come from 5-3 down to defeat Adrian Lewis 7-5 as he claimed the final spot in the league table ahead of Dave Chisnall, whose Play-Off hopes were ended with a six-all draw against James Wade. Those results mean that Van Gerwen and Anderson will clash again at the semi-final stage in next Thursday’s Play-Offs, as the pair continue their search for a third Premier League title.
Van Gerwen, though, leaves Aberdeen celebrating his achievement in topping the regular season’s league table for a fifth successive year since he entered the tournament. Wright produced another clinical display as he prepared for his first-ever Premier League Play-Offs challenge with a superb 7-1 defeat of Van Barneveld.
The Scot landed 180s in each of the first two legs, with the latter being a 14-dart break, before an 80 checkout moved him 3-0 up. Van Barneveld replied on double ten, but Wright posted another 180 as he regained his edge, punished misses from the Dutchman to break again, took out a 14-darter to move 6-1 up and then sealed the win with a 116 finish.
Taylor secured qualification for the Play-Offs in his final Premier League season with a 7-5 win over Stoke rival Lewis . Lewis missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish early in the game but led 4-2 with the aid of a 122 bull checkout, only to see Taylor win five of the next six legs – despite a 114 finsh from his rival – for victory.
Earlier, Chisnall’s draw with Wade ended the 2015 semi-finalist’s bid to snatch a top-four finish, despite finishing the season with a seven-game unbeaten run. Chisnall had to secure a big win to put the pressure on Taylor, but saw Wade capitalise on his missed doubles to move 3-1 up, with the aid of a clinical 71 finish. Wade then hit his fourth 180 as he moved into a 6-2 lead to secure at least a point from the contest.
Chisnall, though, took leg nine to keep his hopes in the match alive, before finishing a brilliant 129 and a 13-darter to force a deciding leg, in which he hit two 180s in an 11-dart finish to snatch a share of the spoils. Chisnall ended the game with seven 180s, but admitted that a slow start against Wade cost him.
Van Gerwen’s clash with Anderson – which is also a repeat of the World Grand Prix, World Championship and Masters finals of the past year – will open next Thursday’s Play-Offs, before Wright takes on six-time Premier League champion Taylor.
The tournament will then conclude with the final at The O2, with a £250,000 prize on offer for the eventual champion. Tickets for the Betway Premier League Play-Offs can be purchased by calling 0844 856 0202 or online via www.axs.com .
Van Gerwen is the 4/7 favourite with sponsors Betway to win the Premier League title next Thursday, with Wright 9/2, Anderson 5/1 and Taylor rated at 11/1.
Betway Premier League
Night 15
Thursday May 11, GE Oil & Gas Arena, Aberdeen
Dave Chisnall 6-6 James Wade
Phil Taylor 7-5 Adrian Lewis
Peter Wright 7-1 Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen 7-4 Gary Anderson
Play-Offs
Thursday May 18, The O2, London
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson
Peter Wright v Phil Taylor
Best of 19 legs
Final
Van Gerwen/Anderson v Wright/Taylor
Best of 21 legs
Tickets: 0844 856 0202 or via www.axs.com
Final League Table
P |
W |
D |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Michael van Gerwen (Q) | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | +32 | 24 |
Peter Wright (Q) | 16 | 10 | 3 | 3 | +30 | 23 |
Phil Taylor (Q) | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | +7 | 19 |
Gary Anderson (Q) | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | +12 | 18 |
Dave Chisnall | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | -5 | 16 |
Raymond van Barneveld | 16 | 6 | 2 | 8 | -10 | 14 |
James Wade | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | -13 | 13 |
Adrian Lewis | 16 | 6 | 1 | 9 | -14 | 13 |
Jelle Klaasen (E) | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -16 | 3 |
Kim Huybrechts (E) | 9 | 0 | 3 | 6 | -23 | 3 |
Prize Money Breakdown
Winner | £250,000 |
Runner-Up | £120,000 |
Semi-Finalists | £80,000 |
League Leader’s Bonus | £25,000 |
Fifth Place | £65,000 |
Sixth Place | £55,000 |
Seventh Place | £50,000 |
Eighth Place | £45,000 |
Ninth Place | £30,000 |
Tenth Place | £25,000 |
Total | £825,000 |