Thornton was in no mood for capitulation and he again responded,
landing double sixteen to force a deciding leg, which he then won
despite failing to convert a nine-dart opportunity.
“I expected a tough game and it was that, and though I’m happy with
a draw it feels like a point lost,” said Wright.
“My target’s not to lose a game in the league, so if I can keep this up
that’s great.”
Raymond van Barneveld 6-6 Dave Chisnall
Raymond van Barneveld was the first of two men who missed out on an
opportunity to take top spot from Peter Wright. The Dutchman held a
narrow lead over Dave Chisnall during the closing stages but he could
not close out the match and had to settle for a draw.
The opening six legs of the match were shared on throw before Chisnall
landed a timely 180 to secure the first break of throw, sending him into
a 4-3 lead.
The St Helens ace then missed three clear darts at double to extend his
lead, allowing Barneveld to first level and then regain the lead at 5-4.
Chizzy levelled once more, before Barney secured the a point by holding
throw in the eleventh leg. The Dutchmen then set up an opportunity
for the win after a 180 saw him at double first in the twelfth and final
leg, only for him to miss a dart at tops, allowing Chisnall in to finish 57
and secure a vital point.
“At the end of the day I’m happy with the point,” said van Barneveld.
“Sometimes if you lead 6-5 you can be devastated with a point you’ve
given a way but to be honest Dave should have won and I found the
point.”
“I’m feeling good going into the UK Open, which I won for the first two
years after I came to the PDC and I’m focused for it and feel confident.”
Premier League newcomer Chisnall moved on to four points with the
draw, but said: “It was a point lost in my opinion, but that’s darts.”
“I was scoring well but I went off the boil a little bit at the wrong time
and maybe I was lucky to get a point, but there’s still another four
games so we’ll see what happens in the next few weeks.”
Michael van Gerwen 6-6 Adrian Lewis
Michael van Gerwen was the second player with an opportunity to
overhaul Wright at the top of the table, although he would have to
Photo: PDC
Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
“I had a dart at the double 16 and should have got it - that’s my
favourite double - but the way Robert started the game was amazing.
I had to ride it out and then jump on top of him when he gave me a
chance, and that’s what I did.”
“At the end of the
day I’m happy
with the point”
Raymond van Barneveld