Price halts Van Gerwen revival on return from injury, set to face Smith in Premier League Darts Week Six semi-finals

Michael van Gerwen was the talk of the darting world going into this evening's Premier League Darts after winning back-to-back weeks and the German Darts Championship.

Many were saying the Dutchman was back to his best but Gerwyn Price on his return from injury has thrown a spanner into his revival.

He said he wasn't 100% but would try his best but he came back firing from 3-1 down to defeat the league leader 6-4 with 102.7 average and 75% on the doubles in a superb display.

To begin the tie after an issue with the floorboard, Price brushed aside injury concerns to break with a 100 checkout in the opening leg.

But Van Gerwen hit the first 180 of the contest and broke back immediately with Price not offering up a consolidation. A 150 left 32 for Van Gerwen which he pinned to claim the first hold at 2-1.

Price was averaging 90 and Van Gerwen hit another 180 as he looked for a break which he sealed with a 144 on double 12.

Van Gerwen missed 106 for another leg to hold and Price pinned double 20 for a break back at 3-2. A 177 and 130 checkout saw Price hold to make it 3-3.

Two 180’s in a row from Price followed by 52 saw ‘The Iceman’ break and take the heat to MVG at 4-3 up.

Price missed 128 to hold but returned for double 20 to go 5-3 up. A 180 and 134 saw Price look to head towards the finish but Van Gerwen hit 120 to make it 5-4. MVG had 69 for the break but missed and Price returned for 50 on double 20. 

Next up will be Michael Smith for Price after 'Bully Boy' stormed to a 6-1 victory with a 103 average in a high quality display against James Wade which saw 10 180's and a 102 average despite the one sided scoreline.

Smith was throwing at 66 to hold after a 180 from Wade left him to pressure but ‘Bully Boy’ hit double 20 for a hold.

Wade missed 164 on the bull to hold but with Smith not on a finish, he returned for double 10 and a leveller at 1-1.

A second 180 was pinned by Wade but after missing 90 on double 14, Smith returned for the same target to make it 2-1.

Smith missed 127 on the bull for a break but was allowed multiple opportunities with Wade unable to pick his pocket and he hit double two to go 3-1 up in the race to six.

He held to go 4-1 up. Wade returned with two 180’s but couldn’t go for the nine-dart finish. Smith hit a quick fire 180 and when Wade missed to hold, Smith broke again for a 5-1 lead.

It was up to nine 180’s with both players teeing off and Wade put that up to 10 to leave 41. Smith left double four in case Wade missed which he did and ‘Bully Boy’ returned for double four to win.