Jonny Clayton claims Premier League Darts Night 13 glory in Glasgow
Jonny Clayton clinched his fourth weekly title of the 2022 Premier League campaign with victory over Michael van Gerwen in the final of Night 13 in Glasgow.
Clayton extended his lead at the top of the table with a dominant display at The Hydro, culminating in a 6-3 win over Van Gerwen in the final.
The defending champion also became the first player to mathematically seal qualification for next month’s play-offs in Berlin as he took his tally to 34 points.
Clayton began the night with a 6-2 defeat of James Wade to avenge last week’s final defeat, before silencing the partisan Scottish crowd with a 6-4 success over home hero Gary Anderson in the Semi-Finals.
The first seven legs of the final all went with the throw as Clayton moved into a 4-3 lead, before punishing four costly missed darts at doubles from Van Gerwen in leg eight to break and go two clear.
The Welshman then took out 68 to seal another £10,000 bonus and stretch his lead over MVG at the top of the table to six points.
“It means a lot to see that Q next to my name,” said Clayton. “That was my aim to make the top four.
“I played well tonight and I am really happy with my game.
“I would love to finish top, but the top four is what I wanted to be in. Hopefully I carry on winning games and can finish top.
“Part one is done, but part two is to try and win the Premier League again.”
Van Gerwen’s run to the final saw him edge past Joe Cullen in a deciding leg before repeating the 6-5 scoreline against Michael Smith courtesy of a 104 checkout for a 12-darter in the decider.
Anderson ended a run of six consecutive Quarter-Final defeats by overcoming struggling compatriot Peter Wright 6-2, only to be denied by ‘The Ferret’ despite landing three ton-plus checkouts in their Semi-Final contest.
Smith dealt another below to Gerwyn Price’s fading play-off hopes with a 6-3 triumph but let a 5-4 lead slip in the Last Four against Van Gerwen.
The Premier League heads to Sheffield next Thursday for Night 14 of the competition at the Utilita Arena.
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Premier League Darts Night 13 Results
Thursday May 5
Quarter-Finals
Gary Anderson 6-2 Peter Wright
Jonny Clayton 6-2 James Wade
Michael Smith 6-3 Gerwyn Price
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Joe Cullen
Semi-Finals
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Michael Smith
Final
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
