Premier League Darts: Nathan Aspinall boosts play-off hopes with Rotterdam win over Michael Smith
Nathan Aspinall beat Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, and Peter Wright to move up to third in the Premier League table; Watch the Premier League Darts every Thursday night up until the Play-Offs at London’s O2 on Thursday, May 23 – live on Sky Sports
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Check out the best action from Week 12 of the Premier League Darts from Rotterdam.
Nathan Aspinall gave his hopes of clinching a play-off spot a huge boost with a 6-4 victory over Michael Smith on Night 12 of the Premier League in Rotterdam.
Aspinall entered the final just one point ahead of Smith in the Premier League table but kept his advantage with a clinical display to move him up to third on 23 points, sitting behind Luke Humphries and Luke Littler who both sit on 26 points.
Michael van Gerwen then sits in fourth on 22 points, with Smith two points off the play-offs on 20.
- As it happened on Night 12 in Rotterdam
- Stream Premier League Darts and more with NOW
- Darts in 2024: Key dates and winners from Premier League and more
It is Aspinall’s second nightly win after his victory in Exeter and he was on song with his treble-hitting in the final, taking a 4-2 lead against his play-off rival.
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Nathan Aspinall beat Michael Smith in the final on Night 12 of the Premier League in Rotterdam
Smith fought back to bring the game to 5-4 as he reeled in the Big Fish but the Asp stayed in control, clinching the match dart on D8.
Following his win, Aspinall was careful to not get too fair ahead of himself as he feels he still needs some crucial points to seal a play-off spot at the O2 Arena in London on May 23.
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Nathan Aspinall says it has been the most enjoyable Premier League he has been involved in after winning Night 12 in Rotterdam
“Last year I missed out on nightly wins and I was on 24,” he said.
“We said 26 [points] about three or four weeks ago but looking at that table it could be a push I think but it’s fantastic.
“Credit to all the lads. In my opinion they made this Premier League exciting, the most enjoyable one that I’ve been involved in and there’s a lot to play for still.
“All of us get on. There’s a lot of banter in the back room. I just missing my mate [Chris] Dobey.
“I think if you win the Premier League this year you’ve done well.”
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Michael Smith hit this 170 checkout during the final against Nathan Aspinall on Night 12 of the Premier League in Rotterdam
Aspinall’s moment of the night came in the semi-final as he pulled off an epic comeback to defeat world champion Luke Humphries 6-4 in the second semi-final of the night.
Humphries took control early on and two breaks of throw gave him a quick 4-1 lead.
However, Aspinall battled valiantly and finally found his groove, winning five legs on the spin to make it to a final against the man also battling it out for a play-off spot.
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Nathan Aspinall produced a terrific comeback to beat Luke Humphries in the semi-final on Night 12 of the Premier League in Rotterdam
The Night 12 winner started with a 6-2 thrashing of Peter Wright who was well off his game, competing with his lowest-ever TV average of 77.
Aspinall was on top throughout the whole encounter, sealing the deal with a massive 110 checkout, the moment of the match.
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Nathan Aspinall beat Peter Wright in the quarter-final on Night 12 of the Premier League in Rotterdam
Fellow finalist Smith started his night with a cool, calm, and collected performance as he took a 6-3 victory over Luke Littler.
Littler got off to a perfect start as he broke Smith’s throw with a sensational 164 checkout but Smith showed his class to fight back, taking three legs in a row on the way to sealing his semi-final spot.
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Luke Littler hit a 164 checkout in the first leg of his quarter-final match against Michael Smith on Night 12 of the Premier League in Rotterdam
He then held his nerve to seal his spot in the final with a 6-5 final-leg decider against Gerwyn Price.
It was a high-quality clash as both players were solid on the trebles but Price’s doubling let him down, Bully Boy clinching the win on tops and his fourth spot in the final in the 2024 Premier League.
Premier League Darts – Night 12 Results
| Quarter-finals | Michael Smith | 6-3 | Luke Littler |
| Rob Cross | 3-6 | Gerwyn Price | |
| Peter Wright | 2-6 | Nathan Aspinall | |
| Michael van Gerwen | 4-6 | Luke Humphries | |
| Semi-finals | Michael Smith | 6-5 | Gerwyn Price |
| Nathan Aspinall | 6-4 | Luke Humphries | |
| Final | Michael Smith | 4-6 | Nathan Aspinall |
Elsewhere, Humphries held off a Michael van Gerwen fightback in front of his hometown crowd to secure a 6-4 win in the final quarter-final of the night.
The world No 1 looked in control as he took a 5-2 lead but the Dutchman fought hard to bring the score back to 5-4, Humphries staying calm under pressure to pin D12 and silence the crowd.
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Rotterdam welcomed Michael van Gerwen in style on Night 12 of the Premier League
Price also put in a solid performance in his quarter-final against Rob Cross to take some crucial points in a 6-3 victory.
The majority of the match went with the throw as both players averaged around 100 until the Iceman found a crucial break to go 5-3 up, nailing D10 for the match.
Where does the Premier League head next?
The Premier League continues with Night 13 in Liverpool on Thursday April 25 at the M&SBank Arena, as Littler and Price collide in the opening match of the night.
Humphries and Aspinall then go head-to-head, with Wright up against MVG, and Smith facing Cross.
Fixtures: Night 12=3 at M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool on Thursday, April 25
| Quarter-finals |
| Luke Littler vs Gerwyn Price |
| Luke Humphries vs Nathan Aspinall |
| Peter Wright vs Michael van Gerwen |
| Michael Smith vs Rob Cross |
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2024 Premier League Darts schedule
| Night 13 | M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool | April 25 |
| Night 14 | P&J Live, Aberdeen | May 2 |
| Night 15 | First Direct Arena, Leeds | May 9 |
| Night 16 | Utilita Arena, Sheffield | May 16 |
| Play-Offs | The O2, London | May 23 |
Premier League Darts continues on Sky Sports on Thursday April 25 with the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool the next stop on the 17-week extravaganza all the way through to the Play-Offs at The O2 arena in London on Thursday May 23. Stream the darts and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
Sourse: skysports.com