GARY Anderson lost out to world number one Michael van Gerwen in a thrilling Premier League Darts tie in Newcastle last night (Thursday).

The final scoreline of 7-3 was a touch unfair on the Burnham-on-Sea star, who more than played his part in a classic encounter and ended with a higher average than the Dutchman (110.79 to 110.6).

Van Gerwen was more clinical on the doubles throughout, however, setting the tone in the opening leg by capitalising after Anderson had missed an attempt at tops.

The World Championship runner-up made it 2-0 on his own throw but Anderson hit back, taking out 78 and 82 in the next two legs to level it up.

The fifth leg was rip-roaring, with van Gerwen looking set for a nine-darter after seven perfect treble 20s.

The Dutchman’s flawless leg was interrupted when he missed treble 19 and Anderson made him pay in spectacular style, checking out 170 with a dramatic finish on the bull before lapping up the wild celebrations of the Geordie crowd.

Van Gerwen squared it at 3-3 as the sixth leg came to a close with both players averaging 117, with the standard remaining terrific and both players’ quick styles adding to the entertainment.

From then on Anderson’s finishing let him down, as he missed seven consecutive attempts at doubles throughout the next four legs and van Gerwen was in no mood to show mercy

Particularly damaging for the Scot was the ninth leg – a fine 177 left Anderson with three darts at 24 to pull it back to 5-4, but he missed double 12 and double six before a wayward attempt at double three.

Even then it wasn’t over and the 47-year-old had three darts to take out 50 in what turned out to be the final leg – again, however, he spurned the opportunity and van Gerwen sealed the win.

Anderson can look back with pride at the majority of his performance as he raised his game against the world number one in the latest in a series of titanic battles between the two.

Next week the Premier League visits Germany for the first time, with Anderson facing Peter Wright in Berlin.