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Michael van Gerwen defeated Phil Taylor to win the McCoy’s Premier League at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday, while James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld bowed out at the semi-final stage.

Dutch ace van Gerwen avenged January’s World Championship final defeat to ‘The Power’ with a thrilling victory over the world number one.

The 24-year-old prevailed by ten legs to eight and sealed the biggest win of his career with a spectacular 132 finish, completing the three-dart combination on the bull.

“I’m so happy to win this Premier League and it is a dream come true,” said ‘Mighty Mike’, who clinched his second PDC major title after winning October’s World Grand Prix.

“It was important for me to get this win after losing to Phil at the World Championships. I was a bit sick about that but this was my night, my tournament.

“I think I deserved to win it and Phil played really well so I had to show my class. It is my best moment and I hope there will be many more like this.”

van Gerwen trailed six-time and defending champion Taylor 5-2 before putting together a brilliant run of five consecutive legs to take charge of the final.

The 16-time World Champion hit back though as he broke van Gerwen’s throw before the youngster declined a shot at the bull, only for Taylor to produce a stunning 160 checkout.

With parity restored at seven legs apiece, world number two van Gerwen responded with one of his nine 180s before pegging double top to edge back ahead.

He then broke Taylor’s throw to close in on victory but missed two match darts at double eight in the following leg, allowing his opponent to keep the match alive.

But van Gerwen ensured victory before the prospect of a deciding leg when he produced a sensational 132 finish to clinch the £150,00 first prize and title of 2013 Premier League Champion.

He added: “Phil started off really well but being 5-2 down probably took a little bit of pressure off me and I settled down after the break.

“I was gutted when I missed the two darts at double eight but that didn’t matter when I hit that bull to win.

“I’m so proud. I have loved every minute of this Premier League and to win it like that, by beating the greatest player ever in the final, is very special.”

It was the first time that Taylor had lost in the final of the £520,000 tournament and he was chasing his seventh victory when he saw off van Barneveld in the last four.

van Gerwen had ended 2009 champion Wade’s chances of winning his eighth major title with an 8-4 semi-final success over ‘The Machine’.

Wade said after the defeat: “I wasn’t good enough and Michael was. That’s the story of it.

“I missed too many doubles and he punished me for being messy.”

By Chris Murphy

Images courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

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James Wade and Michael van Gerwen will go head to head in the semi-finals of the McCoy’s Premier League on Thursday, when the final four will compete for the prestigious title.

Wade, a former winner of the £520,000 tournament, meets ‘Mighty Mike’ who topped the table in his debut season, as the 14 week elite darts showcase reaches its climax at London’s O2 Arena.

Raymond van Barneveld takes on defending champion Phil Taylor in the other clash of a semi-final line-up that is identical to the last four stage of January’s World Championship.

Seven-time PDC major title winner Wade believes that the tournament, which he won in 2009, is there for the taking.

“I really don’t think anyone can confidently pick a winner this year,” said ‘The Machine’.

“You’ve got four quality players, who are all capable of fantastic things so it’s all on the night.

“Michael van Gerwen is playing brilliant but we’ve had some close games recently. I’ll just concentrate on my own game and I know I what I can do.

“His strength his scoring and mine is finishing so I hope we both go up and play our best games because it could be something really great.

“I want to win a couple of majors this year and I’m hoping the first one comes my way on Thursday.”

World number two van Gerwen is chasing his second televised success in the PDC after losing two major finals since winning the World Grand Prix in October.

He said: “I want to win this Premier League. Finishing first in the table was a nice thing for me but now I have to follow it up.

“I have two more matches hopefully and I need to win them both.

“Everybody keeps saying I will win a lot in the future but you never know how your form might change.

“I’m playing well now and I want to make it count now.”

van Barneveld has set his sights on reaching a first Premier League final after five unsuccessful attempts.

But the Dutchman knows he has his work cut out against a player he is yet to beat in the competition.

“I had a good chance to beat Phil Taylor in the league this year,” said ‘Barney’, the five-time World Champion.

“But maybe that wasn’t my time. I hope Thursday night is. If I play like I can then I can do it.

“Five times I have lost in the semis so to make the final, just once, would be great for me and to win the whole tournament would be a dream come true.”

Whoever does take glory on Thursday will scoop a £150,000 first prize – the second largest winners cheque on the PDC tour.

By Chris Murphy

Individual previews can be viewed at the players’ official websites: James Wade – www.jameswade.co.uk / Michael van Gerwen – www.michaelvangerwen.tv / Raymond van Barneveld – www.barneyuk.tv

Four of the biggest names in professional darts will be on show at the Benfield Nissan Darts Masters in Sunderland next month.

The stars, including five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld, will compete at the Nissan Sports and Leisure complex on 15 June.

Dutch legend ‘Barney’ will be joined by Australian ace and European Champion Simon Whitlock, double World Champion Ted Hankey and James Wade, winner of seven major titles.

They will battle it out, alongside local qualifiers, in the type of thrilling tournament as seen on TV as high quality darts heads to Sunderland.

“This should be a great night,” said van Barneveld, who starred in the Premier League in Newcastle last week.

“I know that fans up there are very passionate about their darts. They were amazing on Thursday and I’m looking forward to meeting the guys in Sunderland.

“I’m sure there will be some good players from the local area, who will give us a run for our money.

“It is a brilliant line up and we will all be aiming to put on a show and, most importantly, win!”

Tickets for this exciting event are available online at www.dartshop.tv or by calling 08450 180 180.

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