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Taylor and Van Gerwen win as Leeds hosts Premier League Darts

By Sebastian Sternik and Jamie Woodhouse 

Phil Taylor picked up a historic 7-4 victory over Raymond van Barneveld in what could be the final televised match between arguably the two greatest players in darting history.

Despite the win, Taylor is still second in the Premier League table following Michael van Gerwen’s victory over fellow Dutchman, Jelle Klassen.

A packed house at Leeds First Direct Arena also got to see an impressive performance from Peter Wright, who defeated the two-time World Champion, Gary Anderson, 7-5.

James Wade and Dave Chisnall also picked up victories on what was a thrilling night in West Yorkshire.

Close to 9,000 fans turned out to watch the darts.

Dubbed as the ‘El Classico’ of darts, the match between Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld certainly didn’t disappoint.

Both players held their throw in the opening six legs and with the score locked at 3-3 something had to give. Taylor then began to edge ahead and won three consecutive legs to lead 6-3. Barneveld did pull a leg back but in the end it was not enough to stop the 16 time World Champion from picking up a famous win in Leeds.

Since van Barneveld’s switch to the PDC in 2006, he and Taylor have produced one of the most memorable darting rivalries ever seen. With Taylor set retire at the end of the year, this could potentially be the last meeting between the pair on television.

Michael van Gerwen moved to the top of the Premier League table after defeating his fellow countryman, Jelle Klassen, 7-4. The world number one got off to a good start and led 2-0 before a brace from Klassen saw the Dutchman take a slender 2-3 lead.

Despite a slight blip, van Gerwen went on to win five of the next six legs and bag two points which moves him up the table into 1st.

Two-time World Champion, Gary Anderson, suffered the first defeat of his Premier League campaign at the hands of fellow Scotsman, Peter Wright.

The pair kicked off the night in Leeds and from the outset placed the bar high. Both players averaged over a hundred and produced eight maximums between them.

Wright took the early initiative and led 3-1 thanks to the only break of throw in this match. The man known as Snakebite continued to hold his throw and picked up a huge victory over the two-time Premier League winner.

James Wade maintained his unbeaten run following an impressive 7-4 victory over Adrian Lewis. Wade was sharp with his finishes and averaged 98 in what was proving to be a tight game. Lewis led 4-3 but seemed to lose his edge in the closing stages which saw Wade win four straight legs.

A second win of the season for Wade puts him third in the standings while Adrian Lewis remains out of the top four in seventh.

In the final game of the night, Dave Chisnall put in a great display to beat Kim Huybrechts. Chisnall lost the first leg on his throw but broke back immediately to level the game. The former Premier League semi-finalist then won four out of the next five legs to lead 5-2.

Both players held their throw and Chisnall closed out the game to win his first game of the competition. The victory takes Chisnall out of the elimination zone and above Huybrechts who now moves down into ninth.

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