Van Gerwen rescues Price draw

Michael van Gerwen drew with Price

Michael van Gerwen recovered from 1-5 behind to salvage a draw against Gerwyn Price as Premier League Darts resumed in Belfast on Thursday.

As it stands

A 7-7 result against Price meant Van Gerwen conceded top spot in the table to Rob Cross, who earlier ruined Daryl Gurney’s homecoming with an 8-4 win.

Van Gerwen has topped the Premier League heading into the play-offs six years in a row but has now slipped behind Cross.

Mensur Suljovic 8-6 James Wade

0:17

Wade’s 137 checkout wasn’t enough

Wade’s 137 checkout wasn’t enough

A slow start exploded into life when Suljovic opened the first two-leg lead of the match at 6-4, then plundered into a 10-dart leg to move further clear.

Suljovic eventually prevailed into the gruelling contest to overtake Wade in the table.

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Michael Smith 7-7 Peter Wright

2:00

Smith and Wright were both ‘annoyed’

Smith and Wright were both ‘annoyed’

The bottom two in the league could not be separated in a game that featured just two breaks of throw, meaning Smith began and ended the night propping up the table.

Smith may have smelled victory when he struck bullseye to go 7-6 ahead but Wright, whose season is yet to catch fire, earned a point to remain second-last in the league.

Rob Cross 8-4 Daryl Gurney

0:33

Rob Cross defeated Daryl Gurney 8-4, ending it with a 124 check on the bull in Premier League from Belfast.

Rob Cross defeated Daryl Gurney 8-4, ending it with a 124 check on the bull in Premier League from Belfast.

Gurney whipped up a cracking atmosphere from his home crowd but, despite a stylish 112 checkout, could not give them the result they hoped for.

Cross, booed from his walk-on until the end, struck a sensational 124 checkout on the bullseye to seal victory and move to the top of the table above Van Gerwen.

It was a measure of revenge for last season in the Premier League when these two players met in the same location but Gurney was victorious.

It is the second consecutive week Cross has battled successfully against a home crowd – last time, he beat the Netherlands’ Jeffrey De Zwaan in Rotterdam.

Michael van Gerwen 7-7 Gerwyn Price

0:34

MVG levels against Price

MVG levels against Price

Price nicked a lead with a break of throw then repeated the trick with a 128 finish on the bull to go 4-1 up which drew a wry smile from Van Gerwen.

The world No 1 found himself 1-5 behind but narrowed the gap to increase the tension for Price who had previously lost all 15 of their head-to-head meetings.

Van Gerwen missed three doubles when given a chance to level at 6-6. Then Price missed two match darts and Van Gerwen stole a point.

The Premier League continues as we head to the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on Thursday, April 11. You can also stay up to date with all the action by following us @SkySportsDarts and get all the latest news, previews and interviews www.skysports.com/darts