The 2024 Premier League Darts season exploded into action in Newcastle, delivering a night of thrilling drama and top-tier darts. Michael van Gerwen (MVG) emerged as the dominant force, securing his first nightly win of the campaign by defeating a formidable Gerwyn van Veen in the final. The evening also saw impressive performances from Jonny Clayton and Luke Humphries, while young sensation Luke Littler experienced a challenging debut night, and debutant Stephen Bunting showed flashes of brilliance despite an early exit.
Premier League Darts Night 1: Newcastle Highlights
Newcastle played host to an electrifying opening night of the Premier League Darts, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable season. Eight of the world’s best players battled it out, showcasing incredible skill, nerve, and the relentless pressure of top-flight darts.
Match Summaries: The Road to the Final
Jonny Clayton vs. Stephen Bunting
The night began with an anticipated clash featuring two players eager to make their mark. Stephen Bunting, making his Premier League debut, started strong by breaking Jonny Clayton’s throw (winning a leg against the player who started it). However, Clayton quickly found his rhythm, unleashing a masterful performance to secure a decisive 6-2 victory. Clayton averaged an impressive 109 points per three darts, hitting 66.67% of his crucial double finishes, demonstrating why he’s a consistent threat. Bunting, despite a commendable 101 average, struggled on his doubles, converting only 40% – a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Premier League.
Gerwyn van Veen vs. Luke Littler
This match was billed as a potential classic, a rematch of the recent World Championship final. Gerwyn van Veen sought revenge against teenage sensation Luke Littler, and he got it. The game was a tense affair, with both players holding their throws until 3-3. Littler then broke (won a leg against his opponent’s throw) to go 4-3 up, seemingly taking control, but immediately lost his own throw, bringing the score back to 4-4. The pressure was palpable, with both players showing signs of edginess and missed doubles. Van Veen ultimately held his nerve to win 6-4, preventing a decider and securing a sweet victory over his young rival.
Gerwyn Price vs. Luke Humphries
World Champion Luke Humphries faced off against former champion Gerwyn Price in a captivating encounter that went right down to the wire. The match was incredibly tight, staying on throw until a thrilling 5-5 deadlock. Price displayed incredible composure, hitting crucial high-scoring combination finishes (114, 97, 84) to stay in contention. Humphries, consistently averaging about 10 points higher throughout the game, seemed poised to pounce. In the deciding leg, both players had chances to close it out. Humphries missed two darts for the win, Price then missed two at tops (double 20), but Humphries eventually sealed the dramatic 6-5 victory with a double 2, showcasing his championship mettle.
Michael van Gerwen vs. Stephen Bunting
Michael van Gerwen, a perennial Premier League favourite, faced Stephen Bunting in a match that initially looked set for a surprise. Bunting started brilliantly, breaking MVG’s throw and then holding his own to take a 2-0 lead. However, this early advantage seemed to ignite the Dutch maestro. MVG then went on a phenomenal run, winning six consecutive legs to storm to a dominant 6-2 victory. Despite Bunting having further opportunities, he finished with a disappointing 6 out of 8 attempts on doubles, allowing MVG to assert his authority with a slightly higher average and superior finishing. A significant win for MVG, putting Bunting on the back foot early in the competition.
Semi-Finals: The Stakes Rise
Gerwyn van Veen vs. Jonny Clayton
The first semi-final saw Gerwyn van Veen continue his strong run against Jonny Clayton. Both players struggled to find their absolute best form, leading to a match characterized by frequent breaks of throw – five out of ten legs. Van Veen ultimately emerged victorious with a 6-4 win, averaging 98 and hitting 33% on his doubles. Clayton, visibly frustrated by missed opportunities on his doubles, will be disappointed but will take his two points from the night.
Michael van Gerwen vs. Luke Humphries
This highly anticipated clash between two of the sport’s titans delivered. Luke Humphries started well, holding his throw, but MVG quickly responded to level at 1-1. Van Gerwen then broke Humphries with a clinical 87 finish, seizing the momentum. The next few legs stayed on throw, giving MVG a 4-2 lead. Humphries battled hard, creating chances to break back, but MVG demonstrated his legendary ability to close out legs, including a brilliant 104 finish and a 114 checkout to secure a 6-2 win. Humphries’ frustration was evident, ending the match with a mere 18% on doubles, highlighting MVG’s ruthless efficiency.
The Final: MVG vs. Gerwyn van Veen
The grand finale of Night 1 pitted Michael van Gerwen against Gerwyn van Veen, a player who had shown remarkable consistency throughout the evening. Van Veen started slowly, losing his throw and quickly falling 2-0 behind. While neither player reached their peak performance, MVG consistently outscored and outfinished his opponent. He extended his lead to 4-2, but Van Veen fought back, hitting a superb 110 checkout to hold his throw and make it 3-4.
The tension mounted as Van Veen then missed a crucial dart at double 16 to break back, allowing MVG to capitalize and move to 5-3. In the subsequent leg, Van Veen scored well but agonizingly missed four darts to finish. Surprisingly, MVG then missed three darts at tops (double 20), giving Van Veen a lifeline which he took with a double 10 finish, keeping his hopes alive. However, MVG was not to be denied his first nightly win of the season, sealing the deal with a double 14.
This victory marks a significant start for Michael van Gerwen, especially considering he had not secured a nightly win in the previous season. Gerwyn van Veen, despite his inconsistency on the night, reached the final, earned three valuable points, and should be pleased with his performance. However, his struggle against MVG in finals continues, marking his fourth consecutive final defeat to the Dutch superstar.
Night 1 Standings Overview:
- Winner: Michael van Gerwen (5 points)
- Runner-up: Gerwyn van Veen (3 points)
- Semi-finalists: Jonny Clayton, Luke Humphries (2 points each)
- Quarter-finalists: Stephen Bunting, Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price (1 point each)
The Premier League Darts has officially begun with a bang, promising more thrilling action in the weeks to come!
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
