Lewis, Van Barneveld respond in Sheffield

Michael Huguenin

Lewis, Van Barneveld respond in Sheffield image

Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld embraced a new start in the Premier League Darts on Thursday, claiming rare wins in Sheffield.

In the first week of the Premier League's second phase, Lewis and Van Barneveld each claimed just their third victories of the 2015 season after surviving elimination, following the end of Phase One last week.

Van Barneveld cruised past six-time Premier League champion Phil Taylor 7-2, while Lewis defeated James Wade 7-4.

But the new start was not so good for Stephen Bunting - the only other player to enter Phase Two with two wins - as he lost 7-6 to overall leader Michael van Gerwen.

Those results saw Lewis (nine points) and Van Barneveld (eight) push Bunting (seven) to the bottom of the second phase standings.

Dave Chisnall overcame third-placed Gary Anderson 7-3 to claim a two-point buffer in second, and then in the late match he crushed Wade 7-1 to move within a point of Van Gerwen.

Chisnall (17 points) sits just behind Van Gerwen (18), with Anderson (13) suddenly well adrift, heading into next week's round in Aberdeen.

Michael Huguenin