Premier League Night Five: Humphries defeats van Gerwen in quarter finals, will play Aspinall in semis

PDC
Thursday, 29 February 2024 at 21:11
luke humphries 2
Luke Humphries is through to the semi finals of Night Five in Premier League Darts after ending Michael van Gerwen's unbeaten run in the quarter finals in Exeter.
In a repeat of the final from Night Three, It was a slow start from both players, with missed doubles the story early on for the World Champion especially. Humphries was able to pull away with the first break of throw of the match in 11 darts to lead 3-1.
'Cool Hand' couldn't take advantage though, as van Gerwen broke back instantly and then pounced on three clear missed darts at D14 from his opponent to level proceedings. Humphries managed to recompose himself and hold, before taking out a classy 82 to close within one of victory.
There was no more drama to come, with the final leg won in five visits to see Humphries through to the semi finals. It was a disappointing performance from van Gerwen, who averaged around 90 for most of the contest and failed to hit a maximum.

Aspinall knocks out Wright

In the second quarter final, Nathan Aspinall downed Peter Wright to earn the fight to face Humphries in the first semi final.
After another slow beginning to the match, Wright found the first ton-plus finish of the night, breaking throw with a brilliant 156 to go into a two leg lead. Aspinall was able to get the throw back instantly with an 11-darter, checking out 82 in two. Just like the first quarter final, we were level once again after six legs as the World Matchplay champion began to kick into gear, hitting the bullseye to finish 86.
Now averaging over 100 at this point, Aspinall made it three legs in a row, but squandered a glorious opportunity to make it four when he missed three at tops. Wright then missed seven darts to make it 5-4, and Aspinall mopped up on 74. The Stockport ace had to survive a dart which would have forced a decider, but a 14-darter was enough to see him through to the semis.