Michael Smith seals Premier League Darts Night Three glory in Glasgow
Michael Smith won his first Premier League night of 2023 in Glasgow by defeating Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-4 in the final at the OVO Hydro.
The reigning World Champion had seen Chris Dobey and Gerwyn Price claim victory in the Premier League’s opening two weeks, but delighted a packed Hydro to scoop the £10,000 bonus and five valuable league points.
World number one Smith was too strong for Price in his Quarter-Final tie, before recovering from 4-2 down to win his Semi-Final against Jonny Clayton in a deciding leg.
However, ‘Bully Boy’ saved his best display for the final as he average 109.4 in moving to the top of the league table.
Smith led 2-0 and 3-1 before Van den Bergh took out 86 on the bull to respond – only for the Grand Slam champion to power in a 140 checkout for a 12-darter.
Van den Bergh produced legs of 13 and 14 darts to pull back to 5-4, but Smith ended his hopes on double ten to complete a memorable night in Scotland.
“I’m delighted – I just want to win nights like this,” said Smith, who had to wait until Night 16 to claim a weekly title last year.
“At least I didn’t have to wait until Week 16 to get my win! Apart from the Gezzy game, I felt good tonight.
“I was more nervous playing Gezzy because he won last week. He was up for it but I managed to pull through, and then against Jonny I had a 100 average.
“I had a few dodgy legs on doubles but everything else felt really good, and I had to keep believing in what I’ve been doing.
“Obviously I want to make the top four, I want to be in the finals night and I want to keep winning. I know I can’t win every game I play, but when I’m playing well I know I can win and that’s what the Premier League’s about.”
Van den Bergh had defeated home favourite Peter Wright 6-4 in their Quarter-Final tie, before producing a sensational display in the Semis.
The Belgian ace defeated Nathan Aspinall 6-1 with a 105.7 average to thrill the crowd, but was unable to reproduce that performance in the decider against an inspired Smith.
Wright is now the only player not to have claimed a league point yet after his winless run continued in Glasgow, where Clayton picked up his first victory as he averaged 103 in a 6-1 defeat of Night One winner Dobey.
Michael van Gerwen was the night’s other Quarter-Final loser, with the reigning Premier League champion landing a 170 checkout as he came from 4-1 down to force a deciding leg against Aspinall, who edged the tie’s 11th leg.
The 2023 Premier League continues on Thursday February 23 with Night Four at the 3Arena in Dublin.
Premier League Darts 2023 Night Three Results
Night Three – Thursday February 16
OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Quarter-Finals
Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Peter Wright 4-6 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Gerwyn Price 3-6 Michael Smith
Jonny Clayton 6-1 Chris Dobey
Semi-Finals
Dimitri van den Bergh 6-1 Nathan Aspinall
Michael Smith 6-5 Jonny Clayton
Final
Michael Smith 6-4 Dimitri van den Bergh
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