BURNHAM-ON-SEA’S Gary Anderson was in the thick of the action on the opening night of the 2017 Premier League Darts, writes Paul Martin.

The annual series of Thursday evening matches between the world’s top players kicked off in Newcastle last week, with Anderson involved in the night’s main event against world number one Michael van Gerwen, who had defeated the Scot in January’s World Championship final.

The two men did not disappoint, playing out a thrilling 6-6 draw which included some remarkable scoring.

The crucial moment for Anderson was his 130 checkout to bring the scores level at 4-4, and the Burnham resident nearly claimed victory with the match poised at 6-5 in his favour.

Van Gerwen kept his cool, however, winning the final leg to claim a share of the spoils on the opening night.

Anderson returned to the oche over the weekend as he was edged out 6-4 by Australian Simon Whitlock in the final of the second of six UK Open qualifiers in Wigan.

The key break came in leg seven, and Whitlock then checked out a 154 – with Anderson left on just 20 – to take a 5-3 lead which set him on his way to victory.

The world number two is back in action tonight as the Premier League Darts heads to Nottingham, with Anderson set to take on Dutchman Jelle Klassen in the night’s third match (8.45pm).

For fans wishing to catch ‘The Flying Scotsman’ in live action, the Premier League heads to Exeter on March 2 and Cardiff on March 30.