Jonny Clayton defied a long-standing losing streak against Gerwyn Price and delivered a masterclass performance to triumph at Premier League Night 3 in Glasgow. His impressive run culminated in a dominant victory over a resilient Gian Van Veen in the final. This eventful night also saw Gian Van Veen’s surprising surge to the final despite inconsistent play, Josh Rock’s struggles with a vocal crowd, and Luke Humphries’ ongoing battle with missed doubles, despite high scoring. Michael van Gerwen’s withdrawal due to illness added another twist, giving Luke Littler a direct pass to the semi-finals.
The Quarter-Finals: Early Upsets and Defining Moments
Gian Van Veen vs. Stephen Bunting: A Shaky Start Leads to Victory
The night kicked off with an unusual start for Gian Van Veen, who appeared to be struggling with ‘cold hands,’ frequently rubbing them together between throws. Despite this, the match was a rollercoaster of breaks, with the **first three legs all going against the throw**. Van Veen eventually found his rhythm, capitalizing on Bunting’s missed doubles to secure a **2-1 lead with a 42 checkout**, followed by a stunning **124 to go 3-1 up**. He maintained his advantage, holding his throws to lead 5-3. The pressure clearly got to Bunting, who faltered on his own throw, allowing Van Veen to close out the match **6-3**. Remarkably, Van Veen finished with an average of 104 and a 66.67% success rate on doubles, even when he seemed to be off his best game.
Josh Rock vs. Luke Humphries: Crowd Trouble and Dominance
Josh Rock’s build-up to this match was fraught with issues, from his ‘hand soap incident’ in Antwerp to facing a hostile, predominantly Celtic-supporting crowd in Glasgow, despite his Glasgow Rangers allegiance. While he started strong with a **smart 140 finish to take the first leg**, the crowd’s energy seemed to affect him. Despite breaking Humphries’ throw, Rock struggled to hold his own, finding himself **3-2 down**. From that point, **Luke Humphries took complete control, winning the next three legs to secure a decisive 6-2 victory**. This result meant both Rock and Stephen Bunting remained without a win in the Premier League.
Jonny Clayton vs. Gerwyn Price: Breaking a Three-Year Curse
All eyes were on this clash, as Jonny Clayton had not beaten Gerwyn Price in their last ten meetings, a streak stretching back three years. However, Clayton, who had been in superb form in previous quarter-finals, started brilliantly, going **2-0 up with a clinical 121 finish**. Price responded with an 11-darter, but Clayton maintained his scoring prowess and broke back. The match became a **pattern of breaks of throw**, leading to a 5-3 advantage for Clayton, with seven breaks in total. Jonny was clearly the superior player throughout, and despite missing two match darts, he **sealed the 6-3 victory on double 5**. His face showed not triumph, but immense relief at finally overcoming his rival, having averaged eight points higher than Price.
The Semi-Finals: Unexpected Turns and Double Trouble
MVG’s Withdrawal and Littler’s Bye
A significant development before the semi-finals was the withdrawal of **Michael van Gerwen due to illness**, granting Luke Littler a direct bye into the final. This meant only three quarter-final matches were played.
Gian Van Veen vs. Luke Humphries: GVV’s Redemption
This was their first Premier League encounter, and their first meeting since Van Veen’s 5-0 loss to Humphries at the Winmau World Masters. Both players started with **11-darters, making it 1-1**. Humphries seemed to be in control of the third leg but missed doubles allowed Van Veen back in, though he too missed opportunities. Humphries eventually scraped through. Luke then **broke to lead 3-1**, and Van Veen’s form seemed to waver, with his last dart often looking ‘lungy’ (a term used in commentary for a poor, nervous throw). However, GVV bravely fought back, securing a **smart 102 finish** after Humphries failed to set up a double from 121. The match stayed on throw until 4-3, with Humphries averaging nearly eight points higher. But from nowhere, **Van Veen broke throw, suddenly finding himself two holds away from victory**. He duly completed the comeback, winning in a decider after Humphries missed two match darts. This marked **Luke Humphries’ second consecutive 6-5 loss in the Premier League**, highlighting his persistent issues with doubles despite racking up seven 180s and averaging 103.
Jonny Clayton vs. Luke Littler: The Ferret’s Domination
Many predicted Littler would benefit from his extended rest, but he never truly got going. He averaged 97 but looked flat throughout. Clayton started strong, leading 2-1 and even missing darts to go 3-0 up. From there, **Clayton motored through the match, winning 6-1** and denying Littler any further chances at a double. Littler faced some jeers from the Scottish crowd, perhaps due to his English nationality, but good-naturedly responded by showing two fingers, signifying the two points he still earned for his evening’s efforts.
The Final: Clayton’s Unforgettable Night
Jonny Clayton vs. Gian Van Veen: A Battle of Form vs. Resilience
This final pitted Clayton’s imperious form against Van Veen’s remarkable resilience. Clayton, as he had all evening, started well, racing to a **2-0 lead**. Van Veen hit back with a **97 finish, featuring two doubles (D19 and D20)**. Clayton held his nerve, making it **3-1 and then 4-2** with last-dart finishes as the final stayed on throw. In the seventh leg, Jonny scored magnificently with a 140 and a 180. Despite a 180 from Van Veen, **Jonny moved 5-2 ahead with an 82 finish on the bullseye**, taking an unusual route that even confused the cameraman and commentator Wayne Mardle. Unfazed, Clayton stood on the brink of victory. Throwing first in the next leg, he maintained his composure and produced a **stunning 156 checkout to clinch the nightly win!**
It was a truly great win for Jonny Clayton, who now sits proudly at the top of the Premier League table. Gian Van Veen, despite the loss, can be incredibly satisfied with his night, securing three crucial points and finishing third in the table. A night of high drama, unexpected comebacks, and a deserving champion in Glasgow.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
