Jonny Clayton claims first Premier League Darts weekly title of 2023 in Berlin
Jonny Clayton clinched his first Premier League weekly title of the season by defeating Michael Smith in the final of Night Nine in Berlin on Thursday.
Clayton made the trip to the German capital on an unwanted run of three straight Quarter-Final defeats, but returned to winning ways in style to catapult himself into fifth position in the table.
The Welshman kicked off the night with a deciding-leg win over an out of sorts Michael van Gerwen, defeating the Dutchman for the first time in four attempts this season.
The 2021 champion then fired in a ton-plus average to overcome Gerwyn Price in the Semi-Finals, ending his compatriot’s seven-match winning streak in the competition.
Clayton then produced a devastating display of combination finishing to scoop the £10,000 winner’s bonus at the expense of reigning World Champion Smith with a 6-4 success in the final.
The 48-year-old won three straight legs to establish a 3-1 lead, but after he missed two darts at tops in leg five, Smith seized the initiative by reeling off three consecutive legs of his own.
The world number one had converted a stunning 130 checkout in leg six to level, but two missed darts for a 5-3 lead in leg eight ultimately turned the tide.
Clayton capitalised on further missed doubles from Smith in leg nine, firing in a two-dart 85 finish to move to the brink of victory, before he sealed the success with a clinical 120 checkout.
“I know I can do it. I rode my luck a few times, but it’s a nice feeling to get back to winning ways,” reflected Clayton, who topped last year’s league phase with four weekly titles.
“The last two weeks Gezzy Price absolutely demolished me, and it was difficult.
“Michael [van Gerwen] didn’t play his game tonight, but I had to concentrate on my own game, and now I’ve got a smile on my face and a win under my belt.
“For some reason, my confidence was brilliant tonight. I felt comfortable and the crowd were absolutely fantastic.
“There is massive pressure every week, but tonight I’ve done the job and the table looks so much better. Hopefully I’m here until the end and I’m going to try my very best!”
Smith was bidding to join Van Gerwen and Price in securing multiple weekly titles this season, but he was unable to follow up his Night Three success with glory on German soil.
Despite this, following back-to-back defeats to Chris Dobey in Nottingham and Newcastle, the St Helens star claimed a precious three points to leapfrog Nathan Aspinall and move into third spot.
Smith secured a comfortable 6-3 win over Dimitri Van den Bergh in his opener, before producing the performance of the night in his Last Four victory over Aspinall.
Smith wired double 12 for the first nine-darter of this year’s tournament in leg four, and he maintained that blistering form to progress with a 104 average and seven maximums.
In Thursday’s other Quarter-Finals, Price cut Van Gerwen’s lead at the summit to five points with a convincing victory over rock bottom Peter Wright.
Price recovered from an inauspicious start to triumph with a 101 average, reeling off five straight legs to leave Wright seven points adrift at the foot of the table.
Aspinall, meanwhile, moved through to his seventh Semi-Final in nine weeks with a superb 6-4 success against Dobey, averaging over 103 to prevail in a high-quality contest.
Premier League Darts 2023 Night Nine Results
Thursday March 30
Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin
Quarter-Finals
Dimitri Van den Bergh 3-6 Michael Smith
Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Chris Dobey
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Peter Wright 3-6 Gerwyn Price
Semi-Finals
Michael Smith 6-4 Nathan Aspinall
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Gerwyn Price
Final
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Michael Smith
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