Jonny Clayton claimed victories over Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price before beating Michael Smith 6-4 in the final; Van Gerwen remains top of the season-long standings; the Premier League heads to the Utilita Arena, Birmingham for night ten on Thursday April 6, live on Sky Sports
Friday 31 March 2023 06:13, UK
Jonny Clayton secured a first night victory of the Cazoo Premier League season and bolstered his hopes of qualifying for the play-offs after defeating world champion Michael Smith in the final of night nine in Berlin.
Clayton came through a final-leg decider to knock out league leader Michael van Gerwen and claimed an impressive 6-4 victory over compatriot Gerwyn Price, ending the Ice Man's hopes a third consecutive night win, then prevailed 6-4 in a tight tussle against Smith.
Smith opened with a 13-dart hold but wasted two break darts in the next to allow Clayton to level the contest, with the Welshman then breaking with a 86 checkout and adding a 80 finish to race into a 3-1 lead.
Clayton squandered two chance to claim a fourth straight leg in the fifth, then found himself behind when Smith followed a stunning 130 checkout on the bullseye and 12-dart break by holding throw in the next.
Smith was punished for more missed doubles as Clayton levelled the match on tops and then edged back ahead with a 85 checkout, then signed off victory in style with a brilliant 120 finish in the 10th leg.
"Quite an easy run, wasn't it?!" Clayton told Sky Sports. "Maybe I rode my luck a few times but I done it in the end and that's all that counts.
"It's that winning double and winning that night, so thank god I've got a win. I'm used to walking off after the first game and not coming back, so it's a nice feeling to get back on this stage."
"I'm so chuffed, it's unbelievable! I've got a smile on my face and a win under my belt."
Victory sees Clayton jump to fifth in the season-long standings on 12 points and within three of Nathan Aspinall - who was beaten by Smith in the semi-finals - in fourth, while Price closed the gap on Van Gerwen after his semi-final finish.
Smith despatched Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-3 in the quarter-finals and came agonisingly close to a nine-dart leg on his way to a 6-4 victory over Aspinall, then fell short in his bid for a second night win of the season.
Van Gerwen remains on 25 points after failing to win on nigh nine, with Price now within five points of the six-time Premier League winner after he rattled off five straight legs to claim a 6-3 win over Peter Wright - who remains bottom of the table - in the quarter-finals.
The Premier League roadshow heads to the Utilita Arena, Birmingham on Thursday, April 6 for night ten of the league season.
Smith and Wright lock horns in a repeat of the 2022 world championship final.
Elsewhere, Price takes on Van den Bergh, Dobey and six-time winner Van Gerwen collide, while Clayton and Aspinall also lock horns.
We are back for more Premier League Darts action from the Utilita Arena, Birmingham on Thursday, April 6 - live on Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm.
