Michael van Gerwen snatches Premier League Darts Night Four title in Dublin

Michael van Gerwen claimed Premier League Darts Night Four glory in Dublin after a dramatic comeback win over Gerwyn Price in the final.

Van Gerwen had seen Chris Dobey, Price and Michael Smith triumph in the opening three weeks of competition, but the reigning champion opened his account on the Emerald Isle to scoop the £10,000 bonus.

The Dutchman kicked off with a 6-3 success over debutant Dobey, avenging his defeat to the Masters champion in the final of Night One in Belfast.

Van Gerwen then defied a spirited rally from Jonny Clayton to prevail by the same score-line in the Semi-Finals, setting up a fascinating show-down against Night Two winner Price in the final.

Van Gerwen seized the early initiative to lead 2-1, only for Price to respond with a 12-dart leveller, courtesy of a brilliant tops-tops 100 finish.

This sparked a four-leg winning run from the Welshman, who capitalised on a series of missed doubles from Van Gerwen to establish a 5-2 cushion and move to the brink of victory.

However, the three-time World Champion hit back to reduce the arrears to 5-4 before firing in a 14-dart hold to force a last-leg shoot-out after Price had missed two darts at double 15 for victory.

Price had the advantage of throw in the decider but was unable to close out the win, squandering a further five match darts in a dramatic climax as Van Gerwen eventually sank double four to move top of the table.

“Gezzy was phenomenal in the first two matches, and I was struggling all day,” admitted Van Gerwen.

“I had to keep fighting and the most important thing is I won the night, which gives you confidence.

“You are playing against world-class players every week, but you need to believe in your own ability. I worked hard for this and to win in front of this crowd in Dublin, it feels amazing.

“I am not playing my top game at the moment. I know I can do a lot better, but to win and be top of the table without producing your best performance, that is a good thing.

“There is so much pressure on my shoulders, but I’m happy with the five points. I love what I do, and I just want to keep on winning.”

Price was bidding to win his second Premier League night of 2023 following his success on home soil in Cardiff a fortnight ago, and he continued his strong start to the campaign by picking up a valuable three points.

The 2021 World Champion produced a magnificent display to defeat Night Three runner-up Dimitri Van den Bergh in his Quarter-Final tie, averaging 104 and landing five 180s to wrap up a 6-4 win.

Price then recorded another ton-topping average in his Semi-Final demolition of Night Three winner Smith, averaging 102 to dismantle the current World Champion 6-1.

Smith had earlier fought back from 4-2 down to prolong Peter Wright’s winless run in this year’s competition, closing out victory in a dramatic last-leg shoot-out.

Nathan Aspinall was the night’s other Quarter-Final loser, succumbing 6-4 to Clayton in a topsy-turvy tussle which saw the Stockport star miss a staggering 23 darts at doubles.

The Premier League continues on Thursday March 2 with Night Five at the Westpoint in Exeter.

Premier League Darts 2023 Night Four Results

Night Four – Thursday February 23

3Arena, Dublin

Quarter-Finals
Michael Smith 6-5 Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Nathan Aspinall
Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Chris Dobey

Semi-Finals
Gerwyn Price 6-1 Michael Smith
Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Jonny Clayton

Final
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Gerwyn Price