Daryl Gurney resurgent in Premier League Darts despite 'sleepless nights' after newborn baby
Monday 16 April 2018 16:32, UK
New father Daryl Gurney is targeting the Premier League Darts play-offs despite barely sleeping in the past week.
Gurney beat Raymond van Barneveld 7-3 on Thursday, and he now sits in fifth, level on 11 points with fourth-placed Gary Anderson.
"More sleepless nights! It's worth that. I've had literally no practice but I don't care because it's worth it to look after my wee boy," Gurney said.
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I should have beaten Raymond on the first night, and I had two darts to beat Gary Anderson. I could have been in the top four.
"The first thing I wanted to do was avoid relegation - I knew with the draws I had, I had done that.
"I should have beaten Raymond on the first night, and I had two darts to beat Gary Anderson. I could have been in the top four.
"I'm really happy to still be in contention."
Sky Sports' Wayne Mardle believes that Gurney has emerged as a surprise contender to win the Premier League.
"Everything is suiting Gurney at the moment, his whole life is going great," Mardle said.
"That was the most complete performance we've ever seen Daryl give - the doubles, the scoring, when one shot was the bad, the next one or two were good.
"He kept Raymond under it, and Raymond buckled. He took out 158 but Daryl kept his man down.
"Even when Daryl won the Grand Prix there was an edginess, a rawness, and neediness.
"He's playing so well - his doubles are going in with aggression, he's acting like someone who believes they can win anything.
"To say Gurney cannot win the Premier League would be folly."
The 2018 Premier League heads to Rotterdam's Ahoy for a darting double header on Wednesday and Thursday for weeks 11 & 12. Coverage is under way from 7pm on Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Main Event on Wednesday, with Thursday's action under way from 7pm on Sky Sports Action.
Three weeks of tungsten action will then continue through to the season's conclusion with the Play-Offs on May 17 at The O2 in London. Keep up to date with the latest darts news, previews, reports, reaction and expert analysis. Get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts- don't forget to use #LoveTheDarts
