Smith produces comeback to defeat Anderson in thrilling first Group A tie at Champions League of Darts

It was 7 180's for Smith and six 180's for Anderson; with 63 percent on the doubles seemingly the difference late on between the pair. He will now face the winner of Michael van Gerwen and James Wade later; with the duo set to face off shortly.

Anderson showed no signs of jitters on his return to the big stage hitting two 180's in the first three legs. It was a third 180 and tops from 'The Flying Scotsman'; as he hit a 13-darter to make it 3-0.

Smith finally got a leg on the board; but Anderson soon went 4-1 up with a brilliant 100 checkout with two double 20's to cap it off.

Anderson smashed in a fifth 180 and an 81 checkout to go 5-1 up; but Smith reduced the arrears to 5-2 with a 61 checkout and after a missed 170 it was soon 5-3.

Despite that as the break approached, Anderson dragged some more brilliance out going 6-3 up; but once again it was reduced to 6-4 with an 86 checkout seeing Smith still in it.

He continued his response going 6-5 behind and he started the following leg by going 7 darts into a nine dart finishing drifting into the single seven but he made up for it by making it parity at 6-6.

A brilliant 129 set up shot left double 14 for Smith to go into the lead and he hit it expertly second time around.

The cracking darts continued with both players smashing in the 180's for fun; with averages around the 101 mark at 7-7. Anderson though missed 64 to hold and a 33 checkout saw Smith break and go two away.

Smith went to within one of the finishing line at 9-7 up and he hit double 12 first time to claim victory and sees him defeat Anderson in a cracker.

Click here for more information on the Champions League of Darts as darts debuts on TV in Leicester.

Champions League of Darts schedule, day one
Afternoon session
Daryl Gurney (85.80) 7-10 (89.76) Peter Wright (Group B)
Rob Cross (93.71) 5-10 (99.33) Gerwyn Price (Group B)
Michael Smith (100.64) 10-7 (97.76) Gary Anderson (Group A)
16:30 Michael van Gerwen v James Wade (Group A)

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