Jubilant Nathan Aspinall and Peter Wright celebrated darts’ return of fans with huge Unibet Premier League wins on Monday as Jose de Sousa and Jonny Clayton continued their Play-Off challenges in Milton Keynes.<\/p>\n
Following over five months since a live crowd were able to attend a PDC event, almost 700 fans flocked to the Marshall Arena as the final week of the 2021 Premier League began.<\/p>\n
Former UK Open champion Aspinall rose to the occasion as he bounced back from defeats in his last two games behind closed doors to defeat Michael van Gerwen.<\/p>\n
The 8-3 triumph was aided by two 120 checkouts, and it was Aspinall’s stronger start in opening up a 5-1 lead which proved crucial before he closed out a win which sees him move above Van Gerwen to top the league table.<\/p>\n
“It’s a massive two points and it was a great buzz tonight,” said Aspinall. “I was really nervous coming into the game because we’ve missed the fans, and win or lose I wanted to enjoy it tonight.<\/p>\n
“This is what darts is all about, and I loved every minute of it. I think we were both trying too hard to play well but the crowd were got me through.<\/p>\n
“I finished really well and when I get a bit of a lead I felt more comfortable. It wasn’t my best performance, but the two 120 finishes won me the game and it’s a very good two points.”<\/p>\n
Wright, meanwhile, kept alive his Play-Off hopes by ending a three-match losing run with an 8-4 win over James Wade as the flamboyant 2020 World Champion returned to his best.<\/p>\n
Wright danced his way to the oche before coming from 2-0 down with a brace of 11-darters as he surged ahead before finishing a key 103 in leg ten on his way to victory.<\/p>\n
Both Wright and Wade sit five points adrift of the top four with just three league games remaining – but the former finalist was “on a high” after being cheered to victory for the first time since December by a live crowd.<\/p>\n
“The crowd make such a difference, it was amazing,” admitted Wright. “They inspired me and I feel so alive – it was so nice being nervous backstage!<\/p>\n
“All the crowd played their part because I’ve missed them. Last year I won my last four games to make the Play-Offs so if I’m playing well then everyone else has got to watch out.”<\/p>\n
Jonny Clayton won the first game back in front of fans, finishing eight doubles from 14 attempts in an 8-1 defeat of Gary Anderson to boost his Play-Off hopes.<\/p>\n
After the opening two legs were shared, Clayton reeled off seven straight legs as he punished seven missed doubles from Anderson to dent the two-time champion’s chances of reaching the top four.<\/p>\n
“It was absolutely brilliant,” said Clayton. “It’s a massive buzz because the crowd makes darts, so it was amazing to get them back and the atmosphere was fantastic.<\/p>\n
“I had a few people cheering for me and there were a couple of Welsh flags, in, so it’s a proud moment.<\/p>\n
“I was so nervous before I went on but I relaxed and my darts kept going. I took my chances and I’ve done my job – I’m chasing a dream and I’ll keep turning up over the next three days and working hard.”<\/p>\n
Jose de Sousa extended his unbeaten run to five matches with an 8-6 win over Dimitri Van den Bergh which sees him jump above the Belgian in the league table to sit third, ahead of Clayton on leg difference.<\/p>\n
The Portuguese took a break of throw in leg four as he opened up a 4-1 lead, and landed a superb 11-darter as he secured at least a point at 7-4.<\/p>\n
Van den Bergh battled back with legs of 13 and 14 darts to take the game all the way, but De Sousa landed a 180 in the decider before pinning double ten to seal a key win.<\/p>\n
“It’s a wonderful feeling,” said De Sousa. “I didn’t feel the pressure and it’s nice to see the crowd behind us again. The fans know the player and the person that I am and I got a lot of respect from them.<\/p>\n
“I know this is a big win for me. Every game in the Premier League is very difficult and every point is important.<\/p>\n
“It was a difficult game for both of us because Dimitri is a great player and I think he can maybe be World Champion in the next few years, so I’m very happy to get this win.”<\/p>\n
The battle for Unibet Premier League Play-Off places continues on Tuesday, with Wright and Wade facing crucial battles against Van den Bergh and Aspinall respectively to keep alive their hopes of claiming spots in Friday’s Play-Offs.<\/p>\n
Van Gerwen plays Anderson, while Clayton and De Sousa will clash in a game involving two of the current top four.<\/p>\n
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\nMarshall Arena, Milton Keynes
\nNight 13, Monday May 24<\/strong>
\nJonny Clayton 8-1 Gary Anderson
\nJose de Sousa 8-6 Dimitri Van den Bergh
\nNathan Aspinall 8-3 Michael van Gerwen
\nJames Wade 4-8 Peter Wright<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"