Group G has concluded with Ross Smith handing Michael van Gerwen defeat with both players moving through to the Last 16 of the Grand Slam of Darts after an absolute thriller.
A battle between the two most recent major champions and one in which Smith was on a free roll in not having to win but still sealed it. This was due to Nathan Rafferty seeing off Luke Woodhouse in a narrow 5-4 win which in itself dragged both of them out of contention and sent 'Smudger' through.
As a result, Smith and Van Gerwen went out there with nothing to play for with their route already plotted but it was an incredible tie with a 108 average for the European Champion, a record of nine group stage 180's in a match and at one point, they were averaging around 115.
That was during the opening stages with Smith surging into a 3-0 lead with an unstoppable surge including three 180's. But back came Van Gerwen.
He produced a majestic 145 checkout to go 3-2 down and turned it around going 4-3 up from there but after missing 146 for the match, MVG was made to pay as Smith broke throw to send it the distance before pinning double eight to win with MVG sat on double 20.
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