Just before the end of the match there was a remarkable moment, when Van Gerwen checked out 78, while the scoreboard indicated 82. Mighty Mike did nothing wrong, because referee Russ Bray had called out that the Dutchman still needed 78 points. That was also the number on the paper scores next to the stage.
Later however, it appeared that the graphic scoreboard on the television had got it right. Referee Bray had made a mistake earlier in the leg, when Van Gerwen was on 342 and threw single 5, single 19 and triple 18. That is 78 points, but Bray then called 82 points.
The marker on the stage then also wrote down 82, so that it turned out, without being noticed, that Van Gerwen had actually scored too few points to win the leg.
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.