VIDEO: Highlights of final round of Premier League Darts play with standout Michael Smith striking at the right time

When it mattered, Michael Smith stood his ground Thursday night during the sixteenth round of play in the Premier League Darts in Sheffield. 'Bullyboy' eventually walked away with the final ticket to the playoffs of the prestigious darts competition.

Because Smith had won over Nathan Aspinall in Leeds last week, he reduced the deficit on 'The Asp' to one point in the rankings. On the last match day of the regular competition, the two Englishmen faced each other again in the first round. Because of the small difference in the rankings, the stakes were enormous; the winner of the duel between Smith and Aspinall would qualify for the final night of Premier League Darts, following Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen.

After an even start, Smith distanced himself from his compatriot after six legs by hitting 136 and 132 to take a 5-3 lead. With a 14-darter, he then relegated Aspinall to fifth place in the rankings, narrowly missing out on the Premier League playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Smith then seemed freed from the pressure and steamed on to the weekly title in Sheffield. Following his 6-3 win over Aspinall, the former world champion also won over Luke Littler (6-5) and Luke Humphries (6-3) to crown himself the weekly winner. 

Watch highlights from the sixteenth round of Premier League Darts play in the video below.