Van Gerwen defeats Wade in closely fought tie to end afternoon session at Champions League of Darts

Van Gerwen went 7-4 up but was pegged back by Wade who made it 8-8 and it seemed like it would be going all the way but MVG completed a late surge to defeat 'The Machine'.

Van Gerwen started proceedings by going 2-1 up with the first few shared and no player really hitting the front. MVG wired double 14 for a 148 checkout and Wade though went in to lead 3-2 and take an early lead.

It became a back and forth clash with Van Gerwen though having the upperhand at 5-4 up with a break of throw. He extended that to 6-4 in quick succession and when he went 7-4 up it seemed like he was on his way to victory.

Wade had something to say about that though claiming a 7-5 deficit despite Van Gerwen going seven perfect darts into a nine-dart finish and he capped that off with a break of throw to go 7-6 behind.

A ten darter saw him level it up and really throw the game up in the air. Both players exchanged legs and it became locked in at 8-8.

A double top 100 checkout saw Van Gerwen go one away at 9-8 up, will it go all the way? It didn't though as 'Mighty Mike' claimed a brilliant win to finish off the afternoon session.

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)
Michael van Gerwen (103.40) 10-8 (98.84) James Wade (Group A)

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