Van Gerwen loses to Clayton in semi-final Premier League

Wim Blokpoel - Thursday night was night 16 of the 2021 Premier League Darts. MVG already secured top spot and this night he also defeated Peter Wright 8-6 with an average just over 100. So time for the play-offs.

As MVG ended first of the Premier League he played number 4 in the semi-finals. This was Masters champion Jonny Clayton from Wales. The format was first to 10 legs. After hold of throws until 2-2 the first break came from Clayton, in 15 darts. MVG broke straight back with a great 12-darter to make it 3-3. 3-3 became 4-4, and then Clayton broke again to 4-5. This time however, Clayton managed to be the first player in the game with an advantage of 2 legs as he hold throw in 13 darts and went 4-6 up into the commercial break. MVG however seemed to wake up with an 11-darter after this break, and then broke Clayton with a 15-darter: 6-6. Two 15-darters made it 7-7. MVG then hit a 14-darter to go 8-7 up, but once more he couldn’t get the needed break of throw as Clayton hit a 15-darter to make it 8-8. A very important 17 leg came, but Mighty Mike ruined it as he was back on 164 after 15 darts and Clayton held throw. The ferrett didn’t seem to feel any nerves, as he sat on 44 after 9 darts, threw it out in 2 for an 11-darter and went 9-8 up. MVG needed to win 2 legs in a row now, but failed: Clayton threw a 12-darter to reach the final of the Premier League on debut, and for the first time in his career Michael van Gerwen didn’t win a semi-final in the Premier League. 

Eventually Jonny Clayton crowned himself the Premier League champion, beating José de Sousa in the final. I would like to congratulate Jonny Clayton with the win, and the new darts tournaments will come in around 2 weeks time. Tomorrow the monthly q & a will be published as well, so a lot to look forward to!