Chris Dobey emerged victorious on Night 11 of the
Premier League Darts, defeating fellow countryman
Stephen Bunting 6-2 in the final in Rotterdam. The win sees 'Hollywood' climb to sixth in the standings, just three points behind fourth-placed
Gerwyn Price. With five nights remaining, the race for the play-offs is still wide open.
Dobey had reached the final on the opening night of the season but was soundly beaten 6-1 by Luke Humphries. Since then, he hadn’t made it back to a final - until now. This time, he got the job done. In Rotterdam, Dobey saw off Luke Humphries and Nathan Aspinall before overcoming Bunting in a commanding final display.
He posted an impressive 101.83 average in the final, capping off a dominant night with a well-earned triumph. In the process, the former Masters champion has surged right back into Top 4 contention, and as as mentioned earlier, has Gerwyn Price in his sights in the league table.
"It feels great to be back in the winning circle. I knew I could do it, it's just about performing on the night. I am a fighter, kept believing and I am here to win," a delighted Dobey told Sky Sports afterwards. "Three great performances and I am back in the play-off mix."
It's clear to see that the belief is still very much there for 'Hollywood' and he still has genuine hope of reaching the O2 Arena at the end of the season. "I learnt from playing local stuff. My dad never let me win. That stubborn mindset, I have to take my hat off to that!" Dobey adds with a smile. "I believe I can still get into the top four if I can keep this performance up. I think I have a good chance."
The Premier League continues next week in Liverpool, where Dobey will face Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals.