Gerwyn Price enjoys dream Premier League Darts homecoming in Cardiff
Gerwyn Price enjoyed a dream homecoming in Cardiff on Night Two of 2023 Premier League Darts, defeating Nathan Aspinall 6-3 to claim glory on Thursday.
Price, roared on by a sell-out crowd at the Cardiff International Arena, claimed wins over Chris Dobey, Michael van Gerwen and Aspinall to cap off a fairy-tale return on home soil.
The 2021 World Champion avenged his Night One defeat to Aspinall to claim maximum five points and scoop the £10,000 bonus prize in the Welsh capital.
Price punished a sluggish start from Aspinall to establish an early lead, taking out 97 to move 2-0 ahead, although Aspinall replied with a 72 finish to halve the deficit.
The Welsh star was undeterred, however, restoring his two-leg buffer with a 12-darter, before posting back-to-back 13-dart holds to move to the brink of victory at 5-2.
The 37-year-old almost sealed the deal with a spectacular 157 finish, but after Aspinall sank double two to preserve his hopes, Price responded by pinning his favourite tops to clinch a memorable win.
“Honestly I loved every minute of it. I’m soaking it all up,” said an emotional Price.
“I’m lost for words. I don’t get this reception very often, so I appreciate every bit of support. It was fantastic.
“How did I win against Michael [van Gerwen]? Michael outplayed me, but I’ve lost games like that before.
“The crowd got me over the line tonight. I’m not in the best of form. I was playing well before I was ill at the Masters and then I started feeling sorry for myself.
“I’m still not 100%, but I felt better tonight, and hopefully over the next couple of weeks I will get my form back.”
Price opened his Premier League account with a battling last-leg win over Night One winner Dobey in a contest bookended by 12-darters from the home favourite.
The Welshman then came through a scintillating Semi-Final against Van Gerwen, surviving two match darts in a dramatic last-leg decider to progress with a 13-dart break.
Van Gerwen averaged 110.75 in defeat – almost 14 points more than Price – but the three-time Grand Slam champion held his nerve in a thrilling finale.
Aspinall, meanwhile, kicked off his Cardiff campaign with a 6-3 success against Peter Wright, firing in seven 180s and sealing the deal with a sublime ten-darter, despite suffering a bounce-out midway through the leg.
The Stockport star then defeated Michael Smith in a thrilling last four showdown, defying 121, 137 and 148 finishes from the World Champion by wrapping up victory with a stunning 136 checkout of his own.
In Thursday’s other quarter-finals, Smith posted a ton-plus average to deny Jonny Clayton a fairy-tale homecoming, while Van Gerwen toppled Dimitri Van den Bergh in a repeat of their Night One Semi-Final.
The Premier League roadshow rolls into Glasgow’s OVO Hydro for Night Three on Thursday February 16.
Premier League Darts 2023 Night Two Results
Night Two – Thursday February 9
Cardiff International Arena
Quarter-Finals
Michael Smith 6-3 Jonny Clayton
Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Chris Dobey
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Semi-Finals
Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Michael Smith
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Final
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Nathan Aspinall
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