Importance Score: 30 / 100 🔵
Nathan Aspinall Claims First Premier League Darts Nightly Win in Manchester
Nathan Aspinall secured his inaugural nightly victory of this year’s Premier League Darts, rallying to defeat Luke Humphries 6-4 in a captivating final held on his home turf in Manchester. This triumph marks a significant moment in the darts calendar, propelling Aspinall up the league standings.
Aspinall Ascends Standings After Thrilling Manchester Night
Stockport’s own Aspinall surged to fourth position in the Premier League Darts rankings after a dramatic evening at the AO Arena. The night witnessed intense competition, with Humphries overcoming Luke Littler in a compelling semi-final clash. Earlier, world champion Humphries had triumphed over Gerwyn Price, despite Price achieving a spectacular nine-dart finish in their quarter-final encounter.
Price’s Nine-Darter and Littler’s Victory
Despite a historical disadvantage against Price, who had won their previous six matches, Littler established a commanding 5-1 lead in their quarter-final. Price ignited the crowd with a remarkable nine-dart leg, executing a 141 checkout with treble 19, treble 20, and double 12 to claim the coveted 18-carat gold darts prize. However, Littler ultimately prevailed, winning the match 6-3.
Humphries’ High-Flying Semi-Final and Littler Defeat
This quarter-final victory set up a semi-final showdown for Littler against world number one, Humphries. Humphries delivered a dominant performance against Stephen Bunting, dispatching him 6-1 with an exceptional 118.43 average – the third-highest in Premier League Darts history. In the semi-final against Littler, despite Littler’s near nine-darter and a 3-2 lead, crucial missed doubles by Littler allowed Humphries to seize the advantage and secure a 6-3 victory, advancing to the final despite a slightly lower average (93.80 compared to Littler’s 96.63).
Aspinall’s Path to the Final
On the other side of the bracket, Aspinall demonstrated his prowess by overcoming Rob Cross 6-2 in his opening match. He then repeated the scoreline against Michael van Gerwen in the semi-final. Van Gerwen was reportedly hampered by a shoulder injury sustained earlier in the week.
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Final Showdown: Aspinall vs Humphries
In the highly anticipated final, Humphries launched to an early 3-0 lead. However, Aspinall mounted a resilient comeback, winning the subsequent five legs to take control. The concluding leg was fraught with tension, as “The Asp” began with six perfect darts but then faltered, missing five match-winning doubles. Humphries almost capitalized, narrowly missing a 170 checkout that would have leveled the score.
Home Crowd Roars as Aspinall Clinches Victory
Aspinall finally sealed the win on double four, triumphing in front of his ecstatic home support. “I had a feeling I was going to make the final a couple of days ago,” Aspinall expressed. “To emerge victorious is an incredible sensation.”
Aspinall’s Nerves and Gratitude
“I’ve never experienced such nerves at the finish,” Aspinall admitted. “Those last six or seven darts were the most nerve-wracking I’ve ever thrown. I desperately wanted to win for this crowd. Their unwavering support over the past few years has been phenomenal, and they turned out in huge numbers to support me. I was determined to win for them.”
Career Reflection and Looking Ahead
“Fortunately, he missed the 170, and I managed to win,” the 33-year-old added, reflecting on the dramatic finale. “It was the quintessential final for me to win, wasn’t it? Far from comfortable. Going 3-0 down and then battling back to win 6-4 – that’s a microcosm of my career.”
Premier League Standings Update
Despite his defeat in the nightly final, Littler retains the top spot in the Premier League Darts standings with 28 points after 10 rounds, holding a five-point lead over Humphries. Aspinall’s victory propels him into the top four, level on points with Price at 15 points, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the Premier League Darts season.