Friday 15 March 2019 12:23, UK
Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross pulled away from the chasing pack at the top of Premier League Darts after winning their respective matches on Thursday.
Van Gerwen beat Gerwyn Price 7-2 and Cross beat Raymond van Barneveld 7-3 in Nottingham, and they are now level on nine points at the summit of the league.
Price was previously level with Van Gerwen and Cross, as was James Wade who was beaten by Mensur Suljovic.
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'Bully Boy' recorded a much-needed victory, because he headed into the match with only Raymond van Barneveld beneath him in the table.
Smith launched into a 4-0 lead in this rematch of the World Championship semi-final against Aspinall, who was replacing the absent Gary Anderson.
Smith brilliantly won with a 127 checkout on the bullseye.
Wade, who topped the table coming into this match, was frustrated by Suljovic's slow pace throughout - but the Austrian was in control of their meeting from the first exchanges.
When Wade missed double 12, Suljovic went 4-2 up and didn't look back. Suljovic thumped double nine to register just his second win of the season.
A sixth week without victory for Van Barneveld leaves him rooted to the bottom of the table with elimination looming.
Van Barneveld fell two legs behind but after fighting back, he missed double 10 to go 3-2 up. Cross quickly rattled off two more legs to assert control.
Cross missed eight match darts which kept Van Barneveld alive but it was a brief reprieve.
Van Gerwen has won all 14 of his career meetings with Price after their one-sided latest duel.
They were previously both on seven points but Van Gerwen's superior quality was on show when he struck a 132 finish on the bullseye to go 5-2 ahead.
The defending champion then stormed to the finish line with minimal resistance.
Wright hit bullseye to move 6-3 ahead but Gurney kept the match alive with a 13-dart leg. Wright missed a dart to win the match 7-5 and was forced to settle for a point.
The Premier League heads to Berlin, Germany, on Thursday March 21. You can also stay up to date with all the action by following us @SkySportsDarts and get all the latest news, previews and interviews sky.mnosports.com/darts
