initially missing double ten for a 140 checkout.
“It’s always a hard game against Gary because he’s a fantastic player
and someone that I look up to, so I’m very happy to get the win against
him,” said Wright.
“The way the match was going, I knew it was going to be tough to break
Gary because he was starting nearly every leg with 180 or 140, but it
came down to one leg where I hit a 180 to put him under pressure and
he missed those three darts at a double and gave me a shot at the 71.
“I want to keep
the pressure on
Michael in the
league table”
Peter Wright
“I want to keep the pressure on Michael in the league table and keep
enjoying the Premier League because it’s been a fantastic experience
so far.”
Michael van Gerwen 6-6 Simon Whitlock
Simon Whitlock finished his campaign with a strong result and a good
performance in which he broke the 100 average mark for the first time
this season.
Van Gerwen started the stronger, landing an opening leg 180 that he
backed up with a 100 checkout, but a 180 of his own, backed up with a
116 checkout, saw Whitlock break throw for the first time in the third
leg as he moved 2-1 up.
The Australian ace had soon secured a point as he picked up leg after
leg on his way to a 6-2 lead, the highlight of his performance being a
170 checkout to take the eighth leg.
Michael van Gerwen’s revival began with a 126 checkout in the ninth
leg and when Whitlock missed match darts in the tenth the Dutchman
found himself with an opportunity to secure the draw with a 70
checkout.
“I found it really difficult to get into the game, so I’m glad
that I got the result at the end and that I’m still on
top of the table,” said van Gerwen. “You could see
how good Simon is tonight because he hit some
great finishes and played really well, and it
was a tough match.
“My main target is to get into the PlayOffs and I’m doing really well, and I want
to keep this going now. Finishing top
would be great but it’s all about winning
the trophy in the Play-Offs too and that
will be the aim.”
Whitlock had already been assured of
elimination going into Judgement Night,
having lost his opening four games of the
Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
“I found it really
difficult to get into
the game, so I’m
glad that I got the
result at the end
and that I’m still on
top of the table”
Michael van Gerwen