The fifteenth round of the Premier League darts did not last long for Michael van Gerwen on Thursday evening. De Vlijmenaar lost in the opening round to reigning world champion Michael Smith, who then won this round.
Van Gerwen started the game well, with a 90 finish on double twenty and a nice 154 throw. But ‘BullyBoy’ also asserted itself with a nice 106 finish. In the fifth put broke up missed doubles ‘MVG’ and Smith cashed in that break with the next one put also in his name.
130-Finish
Van Gerwen impressed in the put then with scores of 180, 140 and 131 and came back to 4-5, but then ‘BullyBoy decided the game with a 130 throw: 4-6.
Smith beamed afterwards. “Last year I only won one round in the Premier League, on the last night. Three already. I’ve practiced as much as possible and as you saw this night, that hard work gets you through when the talent has a bad day I wasn’t at my best today, but my perseverance and determination helped me pull the line for victory.”
Title holder
Van Gerwen has not won a round in the Premier League darts since the beginning of March. The last time he was crowned the best was two months ago during the sixth round in Liverpool. Next week, the last regular evening of the Premier League will take place in Aberdeen, Scotland, followed by the play-offs in London. Van Gerwen is already assured of a place in the top four. After his defeat against Michael Smith on Thursday, he has dropped one place in the ranking, from second to third. ‘BullyBoy’ has passed him. The Welshman Gerwyn Price – who lost the final 6-3 to Smith on Thursday – is still in the lead.
Van Gerwen is the title holder in the Premier League. Last year, the Vlijmenaar defeated Joe Cullen in the final.