Ninth time lucky as superb Smith thrashes Aspinall to achieve darting destiny with maiden PDC major title at Grand Slam of Darts

It is ninth time lucky for Michael Smith who finally has the major title that many feel he has deserved in his darting career easing past Nathan Aspinall in a one sided final at the Grand Slam of Darts 16-5.

Previously Smith reached eight major finals including two World Championship finals, a World Matchplay, Premier League and this year alone, the former, the UK Open and the European Championship but now has achieved darting destiny in a superb display from 'Bully Boy'.

Smith opened up well with an early break hitting double 10 from 45 for 1-0. He went five into a nine-dart finish but the third dart bounced out. He slipped into double five though on 80 as he failed to be clinical but was well ahead and hit double fifteen for 2-0.

A 14-dart 44 checkout saw Smith make 3-1. He slipped inside the inside wire for 145 on double 14 and Aspinall returned for double five to go into the break 3-2 down.

Smith flew well wide on 110 but returned for double 10 to make it 4-2. Aspinall missed 105 and Smith picked his pocket with an 88 checkout to break and go 5-2 up.

Aspinall moved around the oche going for 80 but found double 20 for a break back and 5-3. Smith missed double 18 for 121 but returned with Aspinall unable to get a shot at 138 and pinned the target again for 6-3.

Leaving 85, he left 40 with Aspinall only able to pressure and pinned the target for 7-3. Under pressure, Smith hit a clutch double nine to hold at 8-4.

He started with a 180 but couldn’t follow it. Aspinall though was getting even more frustrated and was searching for something.

But Smith couldn’t find the trebles to punish and Aspinall hit 70 on double 16 to keep pace at 8-5 down. A 124 set up from Smith on his throw left 40 which he pinned again for 9-5.

Aspinall missed double 12 for 138 and was bang in trouble as Smith hit an 84 checkout on double 12 for 10-5 with the former leaving the stage frustrated and shaking his head.

Smith missed three darts to hold but hit double 10 to make it 11-5. He continued to dominate and hit 66 for a 12-5 lead.

But a rare slip allowed Aspinall a chance at a break back which he spurned and Smith punished with a 76 checkout for 13-5.

A 180 and 134 left double 16 for Smith for yet another break at 14-5. He missed three but returned for double four.

A 140 left double 20 again for Smith and he returned for double 10 to go one away at the final interval at 15-5. Aspinall on return missed multiple darts to hold and stay involved and Smith on his first match dart pinned it.