Michael van Gerwen beat Jonny Clayton, Nathan Aspinall, and Gerwyn Price for victory in Exeter; The M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool hosts Night Six of 17 individual venues on Thursday March 9 with the Play-Offs returning to The O2 in London on Thursday May 25
Friday 3 March 2023 08:17, UK
Michael van Gerwen sealed back-to-back Premier League victories and increased his lead at the top of the table as he cruised past Jonny Clayton in a 6-3 victory in Exeter.
Van Gerwen defeated Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall on his way to defeating Clayton in the final, taking out three consecutive legs on the way to becoming the first player in 2023 to win more than one night.
The 'Green Machine' romped to a solid 3-0 lead over Clayton with some superior scoring, the Welshman hitting some big maximums as he tried to fight back.
However, Van Gerwen proved too much for Clayton as he took out a 106 finish in another dominant display on darts' biggest roadshow.
In a repeat of last week's epic finale in Dublin, Van Gerwen got his night in Exeter going with a huge 6-3 win over Gerwyn Price. Despite only averaging 29 per cent on the doubles, Van Gerwen's scoring power proved too much for Price as he took four legs in a row for the victory.
In his semi-final clash, Van Gerwen showed his class in a topsy-turvy encounter with Aspinall, the Stockport man's three breaks of throw counteracted by four from the Dutchman.
Missed chances on the doubles became the problem throughout for Aspinall and Van Gerwen took advantage before taking out the final two legs in just 11 darts apiece for a 6-4 win and a place in the final.With another big win under his belt, Van Gerwen now knows he can start to "believe in himself" as the Premier League darts season really stars to hot up.
"You have to keep believing in yourself. The pressure is on us and you have to perform," said Van Gerwen.
"To win, week after week, it feels good.
"Six points clear? I love it.
"I still didn't think I was at my best but I was at my best when I had to be today.
"Overall, I think it was a good night."
Clayton had his best night in the Premier League so far in Exeter as he inflicted another heartbreak on Peter Wright in the final quarter-final of the evening, the Welshman taking his chance on D8 for the last leg win and leaving 'Snakebite' still on the hunt for his first Premier League points of 2023.
The 'Ferret' then found his groove in a clinical semi-final encounter with Van den Bergh, the Welshman securing himself a nice 3-1 cushion with some clinical finishing.
Despite Van den Bergh fighting back with a break of throw, Clayton stood firm and a huge 114 finish, plus 55 per cent accuracy on the doubles, was enough for a spot in the final.
In the other final quarter-finals in Exeter, Van den Bergh came out on top in a high quality quarter-final against Chris Dobey, brilliant 140 and 121 checkouts sealing the final two legs.
Aspinall also started out with a dominant victory over the world no.1 Michael Smith, taking four legs in a row, with 116 and 140 checkouts and six 180s helping him on his way.
The Premier League roadshow heads to the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool for Night Six on Thursday 9 March, as Gerwyn Price takes on Peter Wright and Michael van Gerwen faces Jonny Clayton.
The final two quarter-finals will see Chris Dobey up against Nathan Aspinall, with World Champions Michael Smith taking on Dimitri Van den Bergh.
We're back for more Premier League Darts action from the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool on Thursday 9 March- live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm.
