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Smith claims Premier League play-off berth

Michael Smith claimed his second nightly Premier League victory of the season in Sheffield and with it a place in the play-offs next week.

Michael Smith, English darts player.
Michael Smith, English darts player. Picture: AAP Image

Night 16 of the darting roadshow saw the final night of league phase action take place at the Utilita Arena, as Smith claimed the spoils to clinch the last remaining place in next week's Play-Offs.

Nathan Aspinall and Smith were embroiled in a straight shoot-out for qualification, with Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen already assured of their spots at London's O2.

The St Helens star produced a devastating display of finishing to topple Aspinall in their winner-takes-all quarter-final, converting successive 136 and 132 finishes in the closing stages of his 6-3 victory.

Smith then booked his place in the Night 16 showpiece with a deciding-leg victory over Littler, rallying from 4-1 down to record his fifth win over the teenager in seven Premier League matches.

The 33-year-old also fought back from 3-1 down to topple Humphries in Thursday's decider, winning five straight legs to pocket the £10,000 winner's prize.

Humphries fired in a stunning 170 checkout in leg four to establish an early buffer, although Smith replied with a brilliant 140 finish, before landing legs of 12, 14, 13 and 14 darts to prevail with a ton-plus average.

"To qualify and end the season with a win, it feels great," reflected Smith, who will play Littler in the semi-finals next week.

"I was literally drained after beating Nathan. I was really emotional because he's one of my best friends, but I had a job to do tonight.

"I know I won the first week [in Cardiff], but to sign off with another one, I'm going into The O2 with a little bit of confidence.

"I'm really looking forward to next week. I know I've got a good record against Luke, but it doesn't matter now.

"This is a different atmosphere, and it feels like a different tournament almost. You have to bring your best game, and hopefully I can bring some good form into next week."

Humphries fell short in his bid for back-to-back nightly wins, as he aimed to become the first player to record five nightly wins in a single season since the current format was introduced in 2022.

The 29-year-old defied a laboured start to defeat Gerwyn Price 6-4 in the quarter-finals, winning five of the last six legs to set up a showdown against Van Gerwen.

The world number one then put in a majestic display to topple the Dutchman in the last four, averaging 104 and pinning six of his eight attempts at double in the process.

Earlier in the night, Van Gerwen cemented third spot with a superb comeback win over Rob Cross, overturning a 4-1 deficit with a run of five straight legs to prevail with a 105 average.

In the evening's opening quarter-final, Littler guaranteed top spot with a battling 6-4 success against Peter Wright, conjuring up an outrageous 120 checkout on his way to victory.

Littler joins Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Glen Durrant in topping the league phase on debut, and his 40-point haul matched Jonny Clayton's tally from the 2022 season.

 


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