Smith reaches third consecutive final, set to face Van Gerwen at US Darts Masters

Michael Smith is into a third consecutive final after winning the Premier League finale in Newcastle and the Dutch Darts Championship and will now aim for the US Darts Masters shortly.

This after seeing off Peter Wright 8-6 in a game which featured eight 180's from 'Bully Boy'.

Both players were not at their best but it was Smith who helped the impetus in the opening semi-final with a break of throw in the form of an 81 checkout to go 4-3 up.

Smith missed chances to consolidate and Wright finally cleaned up at 4-4. ‘Snakebite’ produced a strong leg on his throw to hold after breaking at 5-4 up.

Smith held with a 68 checkout with Wright breathing down his neck sat on 64. Two 180’s in a leg followed by 60 saw a break for Smith at 6-5 up.

A seventh maximum followed by an 81 checkout saw Smith go 7-5 up. Wright stopped the rot to make it 7-6 but Smith had the darts to head to the final. A 133 setup left double 20 which he sealed to move through to the final.

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Next up will be Michael van Gerwen who marched on with victory over his rival, Gerwyn Price sealing an 8-4 win with a 99.6 average and 53% on the doubles.

Price held with a 14-dart opener. After chasing on his throw, Van Gerwen hit a 180 and double 14 for a 14-darter of his own. Both produced back-to-back 180’s but Price hit double 10 to go 2-1 up. The superb standard continued but as did the holds as Van Gerwen drew level at 2-2.

Van Gerwen was well back but when Price messed around on 130 and missed a further three darts, the Dutchman clinched the same checkout to go 3-2 up. He consolidated from there to open up a 4-2 lead. Another break in a 72 checkout saw MVG lead 5-2. Price didn’t allow another break but didn’t mount a surge on the MVG throw and the Dutchman served it out.