Table-topper Nathan Aspinall will face Peter Wright in a meeting of former runners-up on Night 10 of the Unibet Premier League, with fixtures confirmed for the second phase of the competition.

The opening nine league phase nights in Milton Keynes saw ten of the world’s top stars play each other once across two blocks of league phase nights.

Following the elimination of Rob Cross and Glen Durrant, the remaining eight players will return to the Marshall Arena to play each other once again in the league phase.

The battle for one of the sport’s most coveted titles and £250,000 top prize continues in the second half of the season with Nights 10-12 staged across Wednesday May 5-Friday May 7, with Nights 13-16 held from Monday May 24-Thursday May 27.

The Play-Offs, where the top four players from the league table contest the semi-finals and final, will then take place on Friday May 28.

The 2021 season will resume on Wednesday May 5 with a meeting between last year’s finalist Aspinall and 2017 runner-up Wright, who is among the chasing pack for the top four positions.

The Premier League’s returning night will also see five-time champion Michael van Gerwen in action against high-flying debutant Dimitri Van den Bergh, who is level with Aspinall at the top of the table.

Fellow-debutants Jose de Sousa and Jonny Clayton will face former champions Gary Anderson and James Wade respectively on Night 10.

Current top two Aspinall and Van den Bergh will face off on Night 11 on Thursday May 6, which also features a repeat of the 2020 Grand Slam of Darts final between De Sousa and Wade, while the competition’s two most decorated players – Van Gerwen and Anderson – will meet on Night 14 on Tuesday May 25.

The Play-Off race will reach its climax on Thursday May 27 with Night 16 as Van Gerwen and Wright meet in a repeat of the 2017 final.

Play on each night will commence at 1900 BST. Matches from Nights 10-16 are the best of 14 legs.

The Unibet Premier League is broadcast through Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, RTL7 in the Netherlands, DAZN in various worldwide territories including Germany & America, as well as through the PDC’s global broadcast partners and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers outside of the UK, Ireland & Netherlands.

2021 Unibet Premier League
Nights 10-16 Fixtures
Night 10 – Wednesday May 5
Jonny Clayton v James Wade
Jose de Sousa v Gary Anderson
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Michael van Gerwen
Peter Wright v Nathan Aspinall

Night 11 – Thursday May 6
Nathan Aspinall v Dimitri Van den Bergh
James Wade v Jose de Sousa
Gary Anderson v Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen v Jonny Clayton

Night 12 – Friday May 7
Peter Wright v Jose de Sousa
Michael van Gerwen v James Wade
Jonny Clayton v Nathan Aspinall
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Gary Anderson

Night 13 – Monday May 24
Jonny Clayton v Gary Anderson
Jose de Sousa v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Nathan Aspinall v Michael van Gerwen
James Wade v Peter Wright

Night 14 – Tuesday May 25
James Wade v Nathan Aspinall
Jonny Clayton v Jose de Sousa
Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen
Peter Wright v Dimitri Van den Bergh

Night 15 – Wednesday May 26
Jonny Clayton v Peter Wright
James Wade v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Gary Anderson v Nathan Aspinall
Jose de Sousa v Michael van Gerwen

Night 16 – Thursday May 27
Gary Anderson v James Wade
Nathan Aspinall v Jose de Sousa
Peter Wright v Michael van Gerwen
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Jonny Clayton

Play-Offs – Friday May 28
Semi-Finals
Final

The post Premier League Darts second phase 2021 League Table, Video Highlights and Results appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

2019 Premier League finalist Cross has endured a torrid time season, having won just one of his nine games, and a 7-4 reverse to Durrant was a third successive loss following the restart of action at the Marshall Arena.

He entered the night bottom of the table, and knew his fate was out of his own hands if Daryl Gurney earned a point or more against Peter Wright.

Fortunately for Cross, Gurney suffered a 7-4 defeat to the reigning World Champion to give the Hastings ace hope going into the final game of the night.

Cross produced arguably his performance of the season as he averaged over 103, but this came against the immovable force of table-topper Durrant who hit him back with some incredible darts.

Things got off to an awful start for Cross as Durrant fired a stunning 167 checkout on his way to establishing a 5-0 lead.

It was here that Cross finally started to find his rhythm, but needed to win all seven legs without response to keep his Premier League hopes alive.

Checkouts of 124, 81 and 90 gave him an unlikely lifeline, but Durrant chiselled away and found the required leg to seal Cross’ fate, before clinching a big win two legs later to move himself two points clear at the top of the table.

“Rob’s a World Champion and he acted like a champion tonight,” admitted Durrant. “I like Rob but I had to focus on myself and I’m really happy with the win.

“My belief is really coming through at the moment and I’m playing really well. It was a big thing for me to change my flights and it’s working well – I’m scoring well and finishing great.

“I’ve practised hard during the pandemic and I’m feeling relaxed on stage. The three days have gone perfect for me and it’s an exciting time.

“It’s down to the nitty gritty now and I’d love to finish in the top four – I’m not thinking of winning this tournament at the moment. It would be an amazing night to be in the Play-Offs.”

World Champion Wright has looked superb since the return to action, and pushed himself up to second in the table as he backed up his Night Eight win over Jeffrey de Zwaan with some more brilliant darts to beat Gurney.

It was another tense opening to the game as the pair shared the opening eight legs, with Gurney working hard to complete his Milton Keynes survival miracle.

However, Wright – who missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish – proved too strong with his finishing and doubling, breaking in the tenth leg before sealing victory in the 11th to further boost his Play-Off credentials.

“I felt really weird and I think I played rubbish tonight – I didn’t settle but I got away with the win,” said Wright. “Daryl wasn’t at his best but he had a lot of pressure on him tonight.

“There’s a long way to go still. It’s a nice position to be in but there are seven games left.”

He added: “The nine-darter would have been amazing but the dart at double 12 was awful – I was shaking! I’ll have to go and practice double 12!”

Gurney had been left with an anxious wait before Cross’ loss ensured his survival, although the Northern Irish ace had saved his season with wins over Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“I’m very lucky,” said Gurney, a semi-finalist last year. “I put myself under so much pressure tonight and I didn’t perform, but thankfully I got four points on the other two nights.

“I struggled against Peter and I’m disappointed with how I played, but thank God for Glen Durrant!. Glen and Rob’s game was fantastic and Rob never gave up.

“I thought that if I could come here this and win five or six points I could give myself an opportunity, and I won two games. I had thrown my darts in the bin so I’ve had to get them back now!”

Gerwyn Price needed just one leg to ensure his safety going into Judgement Night, and secured his survival in style with a 7-0 thumping of Challenger Jermaine Wattimena.

The Welshman took just 11 minutes in his convincing demolition job, sealing things with some sensational ton-plus checkouts of 164 and 114 – following up his 7-1 defeat of Gary Anderson with a whitewash of the Dutchman.

“I never thought I’d go out today and it was going to be very unlucky for me not to go through, but after I won a leg I knew I was safe,” said Price. “I played a bit better today and I’m happy to win again.

“Jermaine was scoring okay in patches but was nowhere near his best, and I punished him. I felt good but it’s always easy when you’re scoring well and someone’s two or three darts behind.

“I took my chances and that’s all that matters. I’ve got a chance now to get into the top four and hopefully it keeps going in the right direction.”

Anderson heaped more misery on Michael van Gerwen as he ensured it was back-to-back defeats for the reigning champion with a brilliant 7-4 victory.

Two-time champion Anderson bounced back from his loss to Price in style to keep himself in Play-Off contention.

Van Gerwen started the brighter of the two, but couldn’t shake off Anderson who stuck with him during the opening six legs.

The Scotsman kicked on and crept his average to the 100 mark with some big power scoring and sharp finishing to put the pressure on Van Gerwen before closing out a 7-4 victory.

The defeat capped a disappointing two days for Van Gerwen, who has now dropped to fourth in the table following this defeat and his 7-3 loss to Durrant on Night Eight.

“There were some good parts and I’m happy to take the two points because the table is so tight this year,” said Anderson.

“Michael wasn’t at his best tonight and didn’t score like he can. I’m practising well but it’s still not as good as I want it to be when I get up on stage and I was a bit scratchy.”

Nathan Aspinall was the benefactor from double trouble for Michael Smith as he recovered from 5-3 down to win 7-5 in the opening game of the night.

Having moved 6-5 ahead and guaranteed a point, Aspinall watched on as Smith spurned eight chances to clinch a point, allowing the former UK Open champion to eventually take out 16 to clinch a valuable win.

“Maybe a draw would have been a fair result, but I’m happy to get the win and I’ll take it,” said Aspinall. “I feel like I’ve nicked a point from him but I’ve been in that position many times.

“It’s probably the game I’ve enjoyed most during the Premier League this season. It was a brilliant game to be involved in – we bring the best out of each other and it was another great game. He threw everything at me but I dug deep.

“At the end when he missed those doubles, but it shows that with or without a crowd, you still feel the pressure. I’m loving it though and I’ll take confidence from tonight.”

The remaining eight players will now compete in a further seven league nights from August 28-September 5 to battle for the four spots in October’s Play-Offs.

Friday’s Night Ten will see table-topper Durrant meet resurgent Price, before Scottish World Cup pair Wright and Anderson face off.

Reigning Premier League champion Van Gerwen then faces Aspinall, and Smith takes on Gurney.

The action will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers and through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and RTL7.

Unibet Premier League

Judgement Night

Thursday August 27

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Nathan Aspinall 7-5 Michael Smith

Michael van Gerwen 4-7 Gary Anderson

Jermaine Wattimena 0-7 Gerwyn Price

Peter Wright 7-4 Daryl Gurney

Glen Durrant 7-4 Rob Cross

League Table

Fixtures – Nights Ten-16

Night Ten

Friday August 28 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Glen Durrant v Gerwyn Price

Peter Wright v Gary Anderson

Nathan Aspinall v Michael van Gerwen

Michael Smith v Daryl Gurney

Night 11

Saturday August 29 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Daryl Gurney v Peter Wright

Michael Smith v Nathan Aspinall

Gary Anderson v Glen Durrant

Michael van Gerwen v Gerwyn Price

Night 12

Sunday August 30 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Nathan Aspinall v Gary Anderson

Peter Wright v Gerwyn Price

Michael van Gerwen v Michael Smith

Glen Durrant v Daryl Gurney

Night 13

Wednesday September 2 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Glen Durrant v Michael Smith

Daryl Gurney v Gary Anderson

Peter Wright v Michael van Gerwen

Gerwyn Price v Nathan Aspinall

Night 14

Thursday September 3 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney

Gary Anderson v Michael Smith

Peter Wright v Nathan Aspinall

Glen Durrant v Michael van Gerwen

Night 15

Friday September 4 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Daryl Gurney v Nathan Aspinall

Glen Durrant v Peter Wright

Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen

Michael Smith v Gerwyn Price

Night 16

Saturday September 5 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Peter Wright v Michael Smith

Michael van Gerwen v Daryl Gurney

Nathan Aspinall v Glen Durant

Gerwyn Price v Gary Anderson

The post Premier League Darts Results – Gurney Survives on Judgement Night appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and current restrictions, the planned double-header at Rotterdam Ahoy will not take place in 2020, along with the scheduled league nights in Birmingham, Belfast, Leeds and Berlin.

Six replacement nights, including Judgement Night which will see one player eliminated from the competition, will take place behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena from August 25-30.

The 2020 Unibet Premier League is then scheduled to continue with the remaining four league nights in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield, before the top four players contest the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on its revised date of October 22.

Ticket holders for five venues cancelled in 2020 (Birmingham, Belfast, Leeds, Berlin and the Thursday night in Rotterdam) will have their tickets automatically transferred for the same seat at the 2021 event at the same venue. All remaining tickets for these events are available from venue Box Offices. The 2021 Premier League schedule, including venues and dates, is listed below.

Any fans wishing to receive a refund must apply to their point of purchase (the Box Office where they bought their tickets) before 1700 BST on Friday July 31 (Friday August 14 in Rotterdam). Ticket holders for the Berlin night who purchased tickets through Affilitix can see details of the German government’s voucher scheme at https://www.pdc-europe.tv/de/beantrage-deinen-gutschein (German) or https://www.pdc-europe.tv/voucher/ (English).

Ticket holders for the Wednesday night at Rotterdam Ahoy (September 9) will be automatically refunded as that show will not take place in 2021.

Tickets for the 2020 Premier League event at The O2, London will be automatically transferred to the Play-Offs on October 22, NOT to the May 2021 date.

Tickets for the 2020 nights in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and London remain on sale.

For the six venues already played in 2020 (Aberdeen, Nottingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Exeter and Liverpool), as well as Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Brighton and London, tickets for their 2021 Premier League nights will go on sale later in the year. Details will be advertised at pdc.tv/tickets once finalised.

2020 Unibet Premier League

Revised Schedule – At July 15 2020

Night 7 – Tuesday August 25, Milton Keynes

Night 8 – Wednesday August 26, Milton Keynes

Judgement Night – Thursday August 27, Milton Keynes

Night 10 – Friday August 28, Milton Keynes

Night 11 – Saturday August 29, Milton Keynes

Night 12 – Sunday August 30, Milton Keynes

Night 13 – Thursday September 17, The SSE Hydro, Glasgow

Night 14 – Thursday September 24, The Manchester Arena

Night 15 – Thursday October 1, The Utilita Arena, Newcastle

Night 16 – Thursday October 15, The FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield

Play-Offs – Thursday October 22, The O2, London

The post Revised Fixtures and Venues for 2020 Premier League Darts appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Luke Humphries will play tonight, having appeared at the venue 12 months ago before reaching the quarter-finals of the World Championship for a second successive year in December.

Widely-regarded as one of the hottest prospects in the sport, the 25-year-old believes that becoming the first Challenger to win a Premier League match would be the ideal next step for his development as he prepares to take on two-time champion Gary Anderson.

“Everyone knows I love playing on TV, I come alive on the big stage,” said Humphries, who drew with Gerwyn Price on his appearance in the 2019 Premier League.

“I loved every minute of it up there last year, so to return to Exeter is something I’ve been massively looking forward to since I was picked.

“There is a huge opportunity for one of us Challengers to become the first one to win a Premier League game, I think I’m well capable of being that player.

“But I know I’ll be up against one of the greatest players of all-time in Gary. He’ someone I respect massively and I can’t wait to play him on the big stage.”

Anderson, meanwhile, is enjoying life back in the Premier League having sat out the 2019 campaign through injury, and made it two wins from four against Rob Cross in Dublin last time out.

However, the two-time World Champion insists he is not paying much attention to the league table at this stage of the competition.

“As I’ve said before, I just want my game to be back where it was,” said Anderson.

“It’s getting there each week and I’m enjoying it. The darts are getting a bit tighter and when they go well, they go well but there are a few off darts now and again.

“Luke’s a great talent. He’s a classy player and one of these players who is coming through. He’s no mug and if I got beaten by him, I wouldn’t be ashamed at all.”

World number three Price is the form player heading into Night Five, with the Welshman looking to extend his 13-match winning run against Glen Durrant.

Having picked up his first title of the year at Players Championship Six, Price defeated Peter Wright to claim his opening win of the 2020 Premier League campaign, before winning the first European Tour event of the year in Belgium on Sunday.

“At the moment I feel more confident than ever,” said Price, the only undefeated player in this year’s Premier League after opening with three draws.

“I wouldn’t say I’m the best player in the world but I’m up there in the top four.

“Years ago I felt I was there to make up the numbers but now I’m not. I’m not number three in the world for no reason, I’m here because I want to win everything.

“Obviously I want to win everything, but I don’t think that’s possible with the standard I’m up against. I just want to turn up, play well and hopefully keep picking up trophies.

“First things first, I want to go to Exeter on Thursday and pick up another two points there, that’s the first thing on my mind.”

In contrast to Price, Michael van Gerwen enters March without a PDC title to his name for the first time since 2011 as he prepares to take on Michael Smith in a repeat of the 2018 Premier League final.

However, the world number one got back to winning ways in the Premier League in Dublin last week, holding his nerve to defeat Challenger William O’Connor who was well backed by over 9,000 Irish fans.

“I feel good and that’s the most important thing but I know there’s still more to come,” said Van Gerwen.

“I think my double percentage is better than ever, I only need to make sure I keep my scoring going and I’m finding the right combination. I hope I can do some more damage in the upcoming weeks.

“I’ve got a baby coming soon and it’s a busy time at home, so things are changing for me a little bit – but in a good way.

“Michael Smith is one of the biggest talents I’ve ever seen – and he knows that, but sometimes his attitude is against him. I’ve practiced with him for a long time.

“Something he doesn’t like is pressure, and when he throws just the darts he’s one of the best players I’ve seen in my life.”

Smith produced the moment of the tournament so far in Dublin last week, as he ended the near three-year wait for a Premier League nine-darter in a 7-5 victory over Daryl Gurney.

With back-to-back Premier League wins to his name, Smith heads into the contest full of confidence having defeated Van Gerwen at the Belgian Darts Championship on Sunday on his way to the final, where he lost out to Price.

“Michael’s the best player in the world and if he beats me, fair play,” Smith admitted. “I just want to keep picking up points and doing what I do.

“Just because I beat him last time out means nothing, I know he will want to get one back over me.

“Last week in Dublin was a magical moment for me, I still don’t have the words to describe it but moments like that are why we all play the game.”

Night Five will also see Nathan Aspinall look to continue his impressive start to Premier League life against World Champion Peter Wright, while Gurney will hope to end his winless run against last year’s runner-up Cross in a key contest.

The first nine nights of Premier League action will see a different Challenger in action, culminating in Judgement Night in Rotterdam on March 26 where the ninth-placed player will be eliminated.

Following Judgement Night, the remaining eight players meet once more in the remaining seven league nights in Belfast, Sheffield, Manchester, Berlin, Birmingham, Glasgow and Leeds.

The top four players then progress to face off for the title, and £250,000 top prize, in the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on Thursday May 21.

Night Five will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers and through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and RTL7.

2020 Unibet Premier League
Night Five
Thursday March 5
Westpoint Exeter
Rob Cross v Daryl Gurney
Gerwyn Price v Glen Durrant
Nathan Aspinall v Peter Wright
Gary Anderson v Luke Humphries
Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen
Tickets: SOLD OUT

Prize Fund
Winner £250,000
Runner-up £120,000
Semi-finalists £80,000
Fifth place£70,000
Sixth place £60,000
Seventh place £55,000
Eighth place £50,000
Ninth place £35,000
League winner bonus £25,000
Total £825,000

Unibet Premier League
Night Five Match Odds
6/5 Rob Cross – Draw 16/5 – Daryl Gurney17/10
4/5 Gerwyn Price – Draw 17/5– Glen Durrant5/2
13/8 Nathan Aspinall – Draw16/5 – Peter Wright5/4
4/5 Gary Anderson – Draw 17/5 – Luke Humphries 5/2
4/1 Michael Smith – Draw 4/1 – Michael van Gerwen1/2

Unibet Premier League Outright Odds
Michael van Gerwen Evens
Peter Wright 5/1
Gerwyn Price 11/2
Gary Anderson 9/1
Nathan Aspinall 9/1
Michael Smith 12/1
Glen Durrant 221
Rob Cross 22/1
Daryl Gurney 100/1
EW 1/3 1-2

Odds courtesy unibet.co.uk and correct at time of publication.

League Table

The post Premier League Darts Exeter – Preview, Betting, Schedule & Results appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Michael van Gerwen went some way to avenging his World Championship final defeat to Peter Wright, edging their Alexandra Palace rematch 7-5 on Night One of the 2020 Unibet Premier League in Aberdeen.

The 16th staging of the Premier League got underway in front of over 7,000 fans at the brand new P&J Live, with five-time Premier League champion Van Gerwen winning a thriller against Wright.

A typically high-quality affair between the world’s top two saw six ton-plus finishes landed, but it was Van Gerwen’s 104.13 average which eventually proved too much for Wright to handle.

Wright, who famously dethroned Van Gerwen as World Champion on New Year’s Day, got off to an ideal start with finishes of 120 and 80 to take a 2-0 lead, but Van Gerwen replied with checkouts of 120 and 106 to go 3-2 up.

The next six legs all went with throw to put Van Gerwen 6-5 up, and the Dutchman struck the vital break of throw in the final leg of the match to get off to a winning start in his quest for a fifth consecutive Premier League crown.

“I think it went well tonight, I can’t complain with how I played,” said Van Gerwen, who crashed out of The Masters in round one last Friday.

“I’m going through a tough time at the moment with getting used to my new darts.

“I can do whatever I want in practice with any darts but it’s different when you’re on the big stage.

“But the decision to change is something I needed to do for the long-term benefit of my career.

“Of course I felt under pressure tonight not being World Champion, but I’ve put a lot of work in and I think I can build from here.”

Two-time Premier League champion Gary Anderson was the only Scottish winner in Aberdeen as he made a successful return to Premier League action, recovering from 5-4 down to defeat Daryl Gurney 7-5 in an encapsulating encounter.

Starring in his first Premier League match in almost two years after a back injury ruled him out of the 2019 campaign, Anderson looked to be heading for defeat after Gurney broke throw to move 5-4 up in a tight encounter.

However, two-time Premier League champion Anderson found his best form as he fired in legs of 13, 12 and 12 darts to delight a partisan Scottish crowd.

“Tonight felt like the first time I ever played in front of a big crowd, I’m still shaking,” Anderson admitted.

“I was struggling against Daryl, I can never get a rhythm against him, but I changed it up and thankfully it worked.

“I’m giving myself three months to get my game back, it feels like I’m learning the game again but I’m getting there.

“The crowd tonight was incredible, it’s a real pleasure to play in amazing venues like this in front of your home crowd. I’m going to enjoy tonight.”

It was a perfect start to life as full-time Premier League players for Nathan Aspinall and Glen Durrant, who recorded wins over John Henderson and Michael Smith respectively.

Henderson’s highly-anticipated return to Aberdeen was spoiled by Aspinall, who cruised to a 7-3 victory over the Scot.

Appearing as the first of nine Challengers following his famous draw with Van Gerwen in 2019, Henderson got off to a slow start and never recovered as Aspinall picked up a win in his first match as a Premier League player.

With Henderson waiting on 96 to go within a leg of Aspinall, the UK Open champion landed a trademark 170 checkout to halt any hopes of a Henderson fightback before seeing the game out.

“It’s a bit of a strange feeling, I’m delighted to win but I’m not happy with how I played,” Aspinall admitted.

“After what we saw in Aberdeen last year I was expecting the worst in terms of my crowd reception but it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be.

“I think they were a bit flat because John didn’t perform tonight, I feel for him because he’s a great guy but I have a job to do.

“I didn’t play well either to be honest, I threw three good darts in the match and they were to take out the 170 which won me the game.

“I think playing The Masters last week was an advantage for me, it meant I got the winning feeling back, whereas John hasn’t played on stage for a couple of months.”

Meanwhile, Durrant missed just two darts at double in a ruthless 7-3 defeat of 2018 Premier League runner-up Smith.

The three-time BDO Champion defied a ten-point deficit in the averages to lead 3-2 and, after Smith missed crucially missed two darts at double in leg seven, Durrant extended his lead to three legs at 5-2.

From there, Durrant never looked back, clinically seeing out the match to taste victory in his first outing as a full-time Premier League player.

“It’s a great start, I beat an amazing player tonight on one of the biggest occasions of my career,” said Durrant, who will face Challenger Fallon Sherrock in Nottingham on Night Two.

“Michael makes the game look effortless and I didn’t mean to upset his rhythm with my slower play.

“I was very nervous today, even from early this morning but I had a lovely phone call from my wife before I played and that really helped me.

“Three years ago I was watching the Premier League on a tiny TV at a club in Stockton – people were saying to me ‘you could be playing in this one day Glen’ and now I’m here – it’s an amazing story.

“My only target for this year’s Premier League is not to finish last and make sure I make it past Judgement Night.”

The final game of the night saw Gerwyn Price recover from 6-4 down to salvage a 6-6 draw with Rob Cross.

After taking out 124 to open up a 4-2 lead, Price was pegged back as Cross won four legs in succession to secure a point.

A 130 checkout from world number three Price sparked the Welshman back into life and he backed it up with a 13-dart leg to take a share of the spoils.

The 2020 Unibet Premier League continues with Night Two in Nottingham on Thursday February 13as global sensation Sherrock makes her Premier League debut as a Challenger, while Scotland’s World Cup winners Anderson and Wright go head-to-head.

2020 Unibet Premier League Night One
Thursday February 6
P&J Live, Aberdeen
Glen Durrant 7-3 Michael Smith
Gary Anderson 7-5 Daryl Gurney
Michael van Gerwen 7-5 Peter Wright
Nathan Aspinall 7-3 John Henderson
Gerwyn Price 6-6 Rob Cross

2020 Unibet Premier League Night Two
Thursday February 13
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
Rob Cross v Nathan Aspinall
Gerwyn Price v Michael Smith
Gary Anderson v Peter Wright
Glen Durrant v Fallon Sherrock
Daryl Gurney v Michael van Gerwen

We preview the opening night of Premier League Darts in Aberdeen, with many strange results expected.

Peter Wright makes his homecoming on what promises to be a special night for Scottish darts with Gary Anderson and John Henderson also returning to the big stage.

The Premier League roadshow will see nine of the world’s biggest stars go head-to-head across 17 nights of action, kicking off at the new P&J Live venue in front of 7,000 fans.

A highly-anticipated opening night will see newly-crowned World Champion Wright joined by fellow-Scottish stars Anderson, who will make his Premier League return, and Henderson, the first of nine Challengers.

Wright claimed World Championship glory on New Year’s Day at Alexandra Palace as he sensationally defeated Van Gerwen 7-3 to claim the Sid Waddell Trophy and take his mantle as World Champion.

The pair will renew rivalries on Wright’s home soil as the Scot eyes his maiden Premier League title to banish the demons from the infamous 2017 final which saw him miss six match darts for the title.

“The World Championship is won, that’s off the list, now I want to finally get my hands on that Premier League title,” said Wright, who won his first Masters title on Sunday.

“I would say the 2017 Premier League final is probably the most painful defeat I’ve suffered, but by the next day I’d got it out of my head by winning a floor tournament and hitting a nine-darter.

“You can’t do anything about the past, you have to look to the future and I think that’s my biggest strength which, ultimately, is what led to me lifting the World title.

“You’ve just got to learn how to forget things. Once you’ve released your three darts you can’t take them back out the board and have another go, you’ve just got to make sure your next turn is better.

“Thursday will be an amazing night for Scottish darts with Gary making his comeback and John is a huge crowd favourite.

“Scottish darts is in a great place at the moment and to showcase that on the opening Premier League night will be really special.”

World number one Van Gerwen will be seeking immediate revenge for his World Championship defeat as the Dutchman opens his challenge to win an unprecedented fifth successive Premier League title.

Van Gerwen has dominated the competition since his debut in 2013, winning the league phase every year; a record he is determined to continue into 2020.

“I love to perform on the biggest stages and the Premier League is the perfect tournament for that, so I’m looking forward to it,” said Van Gerwen.

“I have performed very well in the tournament over the years and if I keep my focus each week then I will continue that this year.

“You have to perform every single week and if you don’t you will lose because you are playing the best of the best. I see every game as a final, that’s how you need to approach it.

“Of course it was a disappointment to lose the World Championship final, but you have to look forward and that starts this Thursday against Peter.”

2011 and 2015 Premier League Champion Anderson will make his Premier League return against Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney, with the Scot having missed last year’s campaign due to a back injury.

The two-time World Champion is firmly established as a Scottish sporting hero but the 49-year-old insists he still has the hunger for more titles.

“It will be great to be back in the Premier League, I must admit I’m looking forward to it,” said Anderson.

“Last year there was no way I could’ve played with the state of my back, but I did enjoy spending 16 weeks with my family.

“This year will be about finding the perfect balance between spending time at home and playing, hopefully we will find that balance.

“To me it’s not all about winning, I just want ‘my game’ back; I want to play free-flowing like I used to without pain, and if I can do that then I’ll be a happy man.

“It will be great to play in the magnificent new arena in Aberdeen, I’m already very impressed with it so to see it full will be quite a sight.”

Local hero Henderson famously lit up the old Aberdeen venue in 2019 with a spine-tingling walk-on followed by a thrilling 6-6 draw with Van Gerwen.

This year he will face UK Open champion Nathan Aspinall, who will be competing in his first full Premier League campaign, with over 7,000 fans set to pack the state-of-the-art venue.

“If Thursday night is even half as good as last year I will be delighted,” Henderson revealed.

“Last year goes down as one of the best and most emotional nights of my life, so to have the chance to do it all over again is amazing.

“Because I got a draw with Michael last year some people will think I will beat Nathan, but I know how good Nathan is and it will be a really tough game.

“I’ll give it my all and hopefully I can create some memories in front of what will be another incredible crowd.”

The opening night will also see newcomer Glen Durrant play 2018 runner-up Michael Smith, while two-time Grand Slam Champion Gerwyn Price takes on last year’s runner-up Rob Cross.

The first nine nights of action will see a different Challenger in action, culminating in Judgement Night in Rotterdam on March 26 where the ninth-placed player will be eliminated.

Following Judgement Night, the remaining eight players meet once more in the remaining seven league nights in Belfast, Sheffield, Manchester, Berlin, Birmingham, Glasgow and Leeds.

The top four players then progress to face off for the title, and a £250,000 top prize, in the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on Thursday May 21.

The tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers and through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and RTL7.

Unibet Premier League Night One
Thursday February 6
Aberdeen, P&J Live
Michael Smith v Glen Durrant
Gary Anderson v Daryl Gurney
Michael van Gerwen v Peter Wright
Nathan Aspinall v John Henderson
Gerwyn Price v Rob Cross

Prize Fund
Winner £250,000
Runner-up £120,000
Semi-finalists £80,000
Fifth place£70,000
Sixth place £60,000
Seventh place £55,000
Eighth place £50,000
Ninth place £35,000
League winner bonus £25,000
Total £825,000

Premier League
Night One Match Odds
Michael Smith 27/20– Draw 11/4– Glen Durrant 13/8
Gary Anderson 11/10– Draw 16/5– Daryl Gurney 37/20
Michael van Gerwen Evens– Draw 33/10– Peter Wright 2/1
Nathan Aspinall 4/5– Draw 10/3– John Henderson 5/2
Gerwyn Price Evens– Draw 3/1– Rob Cross 43/20

Premier League Outright Odds
Michael van Gerwen 9/10
Peter Wright 9/2
Gerwyn Price 6/1
Gary Anderson 8/1
Rob Cross 12/1
Nathan Aspinall 14/1
Michael Smith 14/1
Glen Durrant 28/1
Daryl Gurney 28/1
EW 1/3 1-2

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