Smith finishes top of Group H with maximum points, Cullen eases past Ashton to book Last 16 spot

Ahead of the bumper shootout between Gary Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld, Michael Smith has completed his end of winning through Group H finishing top of the table.

Smith saw off Joe Davis, who was already eliminated and has struggled throughout his debut in Wolverhampton with injury.

Davis started well claiming an early break against Smith after he missed nine darts at a double to go 1-0 up.

But normal service resumed for Smith who surged into a 3-1 lead leaving double 12 with Davis back on 144. He went 4-1 up and looked to be surging towards the winning line before Davis came back with a late flourish to make it 4-3.

But that was all it was with a 180 and double 20 sealing it for Smith.

While for Joe Cullen, he eased past Lisa Ashton 5-2 to seal his place in the Last 16 with Michael van Gerwen now only needing a solitary leg against John Henderson to guarantee his spot.

Ashton went 1-0 up with a break of throw against Cullen but he broke straight back to ensure she was out of the reckoning at 1-1 with 5-0 needed.

He went 2-1 up but Ashton stayed in the tie with a 64 checkout but that was her only leg back in the tie as Cullen quickly moved into a 4-2 lead before sealing the deal. He averaged 93.8 with three 180's and 5/10 on the doubles in claiming his spot.