A TRIPLE IN TYNESIDE - PL NIGHT 8 REVIEW
Former World Champion Gerwyn Price strengthened his chase for a first Top 4 finish in the Premier League Darts, winning consecutive nights for the first time since the new format was introduced. The Iceman produced the highest average of the 2023 competition so far after beating league leader Michael van Gerwen 6-1 in the Final, scoring 114.96 at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
Price claimed success in Cardiff on Night 2 before winning his second Premier League tournament in Nottingham last week, after he beat Chris Dobey 6-4 in the Final with a ton plus average. The World Number 4 beat Hollywood in front of his local fans in the Semi Finals, winning 6-4 on Night 8.
Michael van Gerwen remains the player to catch in the league table, as he added a further 3 points in Newcastle to move onto 25 points, 7 clear of 2nd placed Price. Nathan Aspinall moves up to 3rd after he beat Dimitri van den Bergh for the first time in over 3 years, with World Number 1 Michael Smith losing to hometown hero Dobey for the second time in the space of 7 days.
Gerwyn opened his Night 8 campaign with a 6-1 win over compatriot Jonny Clayton in the third match, averaging 94.55 over the 7 legs played including 3 180s and 8 140s.
The Iceman faced a difficult prospect of taking on Chris Dobey in front of a lively Utilita Arena crowd, with Hollywood including checkouts of 137 and 100 to take out Michael Smith in the Quarters.
The Red Dragon player hit 2 180s and an 80 checkout in the 6th leg to break the Englishman’s throw in Newcastle, as he reached his second consecutive Night Final with a 6-4 victory.
MVG came through the other section of the draw, surviving a late fightback from Peter Wright to claim a 6-5 win before whitewashing Nathan Aspinall in the Last 4, moving into his 5th Final of the 2023 campaign so far.
The pair met back in the Night 4 Final in Dublin, a match the defending champion won in a last leg decider at the 3 Arena. However, Price claimed revenge emphatically including 5 180s, a checkout rate off 66.67% and a 10 darter to clinch the 7th and final leg, winning 6-1 against the Dutchman.
The Welshman moves onto 18 points in the league table sitting with an 8-point lead over 5th placed Chris Dobey, as the former World Champion continues his quest to make a Premier League Finals Night for the first time in his darts career.
The darting roadshow makes its annual trip to the Mercedes Benz Arena for Night 9, as competitive darts returns once more to Berlin. Gerwyn Price will face Peter Wright and league leader Michael van Gerwen takes on 2022 table topper Jonny Clayton.
By Harry Masterson
Premier League: Night 8 Results
Quarter Finals:
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Peter Wright
Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Dimitri van den Bergh
Gerwyn Price 6-1 Jonny Clayton
Chris Dobey 6-4 Michael Smith
Semi Finals:
Michael van Gerwen 6-0 Nathan Aspinall
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Chris Dobey
Final:
Gerwyn Price 6-1 Michael van Gerwen
2023 Premier League Table:
- Michael van Gerwen: 25pts
- Gerwyn Price: 18pts
- Nathan Aspinall: 13pts
- Michael Smith: 12pts
- Chris Dobey: 10pts
- Dimitri van den Bergh: 9pts
- Jonny Clayton: 7pts
- Peter Wright: 2pts