Robert Thornton avoided elimination from the Premier League despite his defeat to Phil Taylor on Thursday, as relegated Simon Whitlock and league leader Michael van Gerwen shared a draw in Cardiff.

Thornton’s survival was secured when Dave Chisnall earned a 7-5 victory over Wes Newton, which saw Newton’s campaign end early for the second succesive season.

‘The Thorn’ went on to lose out to world number two Taylor.

van Gerwen and Whitlock served up the match of the evening with a 6-6 draw, in which both players took out enormous finishes.

Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld also drew, while Peter Wright edged out Gary Anderson.

Following the elimination of Whitlock and Newton, the remaining eight players will compete in Sheffield next week, with fixtures set to be released in due course.

By Chris Murphy

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Michael van Gerwen ended Peter Wright’s unbeaten start in the Premier League with a 7-5 victory in Dublin to move two  points clear at the top of the table. (more…)