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ST HELENS darter Michael Smith picked up his first Premier League point as he bounced back from three defeats in the opening two weeks by claiming a draw with Dave Chisnall in a see-saw encounter.

A debutant in this year's comp, Smith has been dealt a tough hand in his opening two weeks bearing the brunt of the fixture changes.

But he managed to get a point on the table after Thursday night's draw in front of the sell-out 9,000 3 Arena in Dublin.

"That was a hard game so I'm pleased to get a point," said Smith. "Dave's a great friend and I think for the first two legs I was playing my mate up there but I gave it everything I've got.

"I missed a couple of darts to go 4-2 up and I did the same last week and got punished by James Wade, but I got back into it tonight and then Dave let me back in to go 6-5 up.

"Then I went and hit a 30 with my second score in the last leg and that killed me. I hit the 180 but then Dave checked out the 81 but I'm pleased now that I've got a point on the board and I know I've got a lot of improvement in me."

Chisnall produced two 11-dart finishes during the game, but admitted: "It feels like a point lost to me.

"When you go 6-5 down you're always happy to get a point, but I'd missed those doubles in the 11th. The 11-darter in the final leg was great.

"It was tough to play Michael and I think he'll get better. I started off well but it was a bit frustrating after that and I'm a little disappointed. I'll take the point and move on to next week."

How the game was played:

Dave Chisnall v Michael Smith.

1-0 - Chisnall kicks off the game with a 180 before finishing double three to claim the opening leg.

2-0 - Chisnall tees up a potential nine-darter with two 180s, and though he misses a seventh treble 20 he returns to mop up the leg with a brilliant 11-darter on double four.

2-1 - Smith hits back by landing double top to complete a solid 14-dart finish as he breaks throw.

2-2 - Double ten sees Smith level the contest, having weathered Chisnall's superb start.

2-3 - Smith fires in his first 180 before taking out tops to move ahead with a third successive leg.

3-3 - Chisnall hits his fourth maximum of the contest, and is given a reprieve for a miss at double 18 by returning to hit the bed to punish Smith's misses at double top and ten.

4-3 - Chisnall regains the lead by finishing 80 on double five to claim a second successive leg.

4-4 - Smith posts another 180 to give himself the breathing space to recover from three initial misses at tops to return and hit the bed to level.

5-4 - Chisnall fires in his fifth maximum of the game before landing tops to edge back in front.

5-5 - Smith follows his third 180 with tops to square the contest.

5-6 - Smith capitalises on Chisnall's three missed doubles by stepping in on tops to secure his first Betway Premier League point.

6-6 - Chisnall scores three successive 140s before Smith fires in a fourth 180, but the youngster can only watch on as the 2015 semi-finalist takes out double 12 for an 11-darter to grab a draw.

In the rest of the night's events Peter Wright moved two points clear at the top of the table with a comeback win over James Wade, as Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld all thrilled a capacity Irish crowd.

Wright is the only player with a perfect record following three weeks of the new Premier League season, having followed up his opening two wins with a high-quality 7-4 victory over Wade, averaging over 104 in a superb display.

Wade produced some fine darts as he took an early 3-1 lead, but Wright fired in a 13-darter to fire his challenge and pulled clear with a 161 checkout before sealing the points.

"James wasn't quite on his game and I took advantage," said Wright. "I was very nervous at the start and I started pretty slowly, but I felt confident and the darts came in the end.

"I felt pretty comfortable and the practice I've put in this week has paid off there. I'm happy, but I'm still not at my best and I know there's more to come."

2013 Premier League champion van Gerwen picked up a second successive win as he averaged 106.40 in a fine 7-4 win over Adrian Lewis in another thrilling contest.

Lewis hit back from an early 2-0 deficit to lead 4-3, but van Gerwen found an extra gear to reel off four straight legs and end the Stoke ace's winning start to the season.

"I really enjoyed the game," said van Gerwen.

"It was a really important game for both of us and I think I played well, and I did enough to make sure my confidence keeps growing.

"At a couple of moments I wasn't too sure about my game but I did the right thing at the right moments. I did well and I'm really pleased with these two points."

Six-time Premier League champion Taylor condemned World Champion Gary Anderson to a second successive defeat with a 7-4 victory in their clash, winning four of the final five legs to claim his second straight win.

"I'm happy with the performance and to get the two points," said Taylor. "I'm really pleased with that because you know you've got to play well against Gary.

"You've got to go out and perform and I was consistent there. The crowd were fantastic and they loved it, so it was a good night all round."

2014 Premier League winner van Barneveld, meanwhile, hit checkouts of 116 and 153 against Robert Thornton, who took out 145 himself but missed one dart to snatch a draw in the game's final leg before the Dutchman edged to the win.

"I'm happy with the win," admitted van Barneveld. "I played a poor last leg but he missed his chance and let me in.

"Robert always comes back at you and he did again there - and he nearly got a draw. I'm happy with the performance and two points is really important right now because this is an open competition and everyone can beat everyone."

The Betway Premier League season continues next Thursday with Night Four at the GE Oil & Gas Arena in Aberdeen.

Betway Premier League.

Night Three - February 18.

3Arena, Dublin.

Peter Wright 7-4 James Wade.

Dave Chisnall 6-6 Michael Smith.

Phil Taylor 7-4 Gary Anderson.

Michael van Gerwen 7-4 Adrian Lewis.

Robert Thornton 5-7 Raymond van Barneveld.