The 2019 Premier League Darts season was a rollercoaster of emotions and groundbreaking moments. It introduced a thrilling ‘Contender’ format, replacing an injured Gary Anderson with local heroes each week, creating some of the sport’s most iconic scenes. This season also marked an emotional farewell for darts legend Raymond Van Barneveld, whose struggles led to a tearful exit. While Michael Van Gerwen ultimately secured his fifth title, the journey was packed with dramatic comebacks, unexpected upsets, and an incredible late surge from Daryl Gurney to snatch a play-off spot, culminating in a spectacular finale.
A New Era: The ‘Contender’ Experiment
The 2019 Premier League season kicked off with a significant change, driven by Gary Anderson’s injury. Instead of a direct replacement, the PDC introduced the ‘Contender’ concept. Each week, a different local star or rising talent stepped onto the oche, facing a regular Premier League player. This innovative format not only brought fresh faces and unpredictable matchups but also generated electrifying atmospheres, especially when hometown heroes like Chris Dobey or John Henderson took to the stage. It led to some of the most memorable walk-ons and crowd reactions in Premier League history, perfectly setting the tone for a season of high drama.
Van Barneveld’s Emotional Swansong
Adding a layer of poignant emotion to the season was the farewell tour of five-time world champion, Raymond Van Barneveld. Having announced his impending retirement (a decision he would later briefly reverse), his inclusion in the Premier League, despite dropping to world number 28, was controversial but ultimately provided fans with one last chance to cheer on a true legend. His season was a mix of valiant efforts and frustrating losses, often marked by dramatic comeback draws that showcased his enduring fighting spirit.
Early Season Shocks and Stellar Performances
- Week 1 (Newcastle): The season began with a bang. James Wade defeated Van Barneveld 7-4. More notably, Gerwyn Price, bouncing back from a winless 2018 campaign, secured a dominant 7-4 victory over Daryl Gurney with a 104.11 average, signaling a new chapter for ‘The Iceman’. Hometown contender Chris Dobey nearly caused an upset, leading Mensur Suljovic 5-1 before the Austrian fought back for a 6-6 draw. Defending champion Michael Van Gerwen replicated the 2018 final result, beating Michael Smith 7-4 with a near 105 average, while Rob Cross and Peter Wright battled to a high-quality draw.
- Week 2 (Glasgow): Peter Wright, in front of his home crowd, clawed back from 5-2 down to draw with Michael Smith. Rob Cross continued his strong form, beating James Wade 7-4 with a 102 average. The crowd was treated to another Barney comeback, as he fought from 6-2 down against Gerwyn Price to secure a draw after Price missed four match darts. Reigning BDO World Champion Glen Durrant made his PDC televised debut as a contender, losing 7-3 to Daryl Gurney, but showing glimpses of his potential.
- Week 3 (Dublin): Gerwyn Price showed his new resilience, recovering from 5-2 down to draw with James Wade. Local hero Steve Lennon missed crucial darts to lead Peter Wright 3-0 and later 4-1, eventually losing 7-5. MVG delivered a crushing 7-2 defeat to an off-form Rob Cross. Barney secured yet another comeback draw, fighting back from 6-2 down against Mensur Suljovic.
- Week 4 (Exeter): This week saw one of the best contender performances. Luke Humphries, a future star, pushed Gerwyn Price to the limit. Price, in spectacular form, even missed double 12 for a nine-darter! Humphries then led 5-4, only to miss double 14 for a 148 checkout to win, allowing Price to snatch a draw. Rob Cross bounced back with a dominant 7-1 win over Daryl Gurney, averaging 102.16. James Wade inflicted MVG’s first loss of the season, winning 7-5 by punishing the Dutchman’s missed doubles.
Aberdeen: The Night of Legends and Unforgettable Drama
Week 5 in Aberdeen is widely regarded as one of the greatest nights in Premier League history:
- Rob Cross continued his red-hot form, battering Michael Smith 7-3 with a 103.96 average despite Smith also averaging over 100.
- Daryl Gurney’s struggles deepened as James Wade whitewashed him 7-0 with a stunning near 110 average.
- Gerwyn Price defeated Mensur Suljovic 7-3.
- The crowd was torn as Scotsman Peter Wright faced the ever-popular Raymond Van Barneveld. ‘Snakebite’ produced a masterclass, averaging 106.64 to deny Barney his first win.
- The night’s climax was perhaps the greatest walk-on of all time: Scottish hero John Henderson emerged to the sound of bagpipes playing ‘Flower of Scotland’ to face Michael Van Gerwen. In an electrifying atmosphere, MVG led 5-2, seemingly cruising, but ‘Big Hendo’ rallied spectacularly, securing a memorable 6-6 draw that sent the adoring Scottish crowd into a frenzy.
Mid-Season Twists and Turns
- Week 6 (Nottingham): Newly crowned UK Open champion Nathan Aspinall, as a contender, underperformed, averaging under 90 and losing 7-2 to Michael Smith, later admitting the pressure got to him. Mensur Suljovic, Rob Cross, and Michael Van Gerwen all secured dominant wins. Daryl Gurney finally ended his losing streak with a draw against Peter Wright.
- Week 7 (Berlin): Rob Cross’s phenomenal form continued with a 104.33 average in a 7-4 win over Gerwyn Price. Peter Wright secured another draw, this time with James Wade. In a significant upset, Daryl Gurney began his incredible fightback by defeating Michael Van Gerwen 7-5. Raymond Van Barneveld finally secured his first and only win of the season, beating hometown hero Max Hopp 7-3.
Rotterdam: Barney’s Bittersweet Farewell
The double-header in Rotterdam was dominated by one overwhelming narrative: Raymond Van Barneveld’s final Premier League appearance on home soil:
- On the first night, after a 7-1 loss to Daryl Gurney, Barney was officially relegated, guaranteeing his emotional farewell.
- His walk-on for his final ever Premier League game in front of his adoring Dutch fans was tearful and poignant. The match itself was another disappointment, a 7-1 defeat to fellow countryman Michael Van Gerwen.
- Disgusted with his performance, Van Barneveld announced his immediate retirement after the match, a decision he would walk back just a day later.
This segment of the season truly highlighted the emotional intensity and high stakes of professional darts.
The Race to the Play-offs
With Van Barneveld’s exit, the focus shifted to the battle for the top four:
- Michael Van Gerwen and Rob Cross emerged as the clear top two contenders, with Cross even leading the table going into the final week before MVG edged him out.
- James Wade consistently held third place, securing his first play-off spot since 2013, a testament to his consistent form.
- However, the most compelling story was the extraordinary resurgence of Daryl Gurney. After a dreadful patch that saw him lose 7-1 and 7-0 in consecutive weeks and facing relegation questions, ‘SuperChin’ lost only two more games for the rest of the season. His incredible run included doing the ‘double’ over Michael Van Gerwen in Manchester, catapulting him into fourth place and his first-ever Premier League play-off appearance.
- A memorable moment saw Gurney’s live interview interrupted by the news that Mensur Suljovic had failed to beat MVG by an 8-3 margin (going 4-0 down), thus confirming Gurney’s qualification – a moment of pure, unadulterated joy for the Northern Irishman.
Grand Finale: MVG Reigns Supreme
The play-offs brought together the four best players of the season for a thrilling conclusion.
- Semi-Final 1: Michael Van Gerwen vs. Daryl Gurney
MVG faced the player who had beaten him twice in the league phase. It was a scrappy affair, with neither player at their absolute best. Tied at 6-6, MVG, as he so often does, found another gear, pulling away to win 10-7 and secure his place in the final. - Semi-Final 2: Rob Cross vs. James Wade
James Wade, making a long-awaited return to the play-offs, started strongly. However, his belief seemed to fade, allowing Rob Cross to win relatively comfortably 10-5, setting up a fitting final between the league’s top two players. - The Final: Michael Van Gerwen vs. Rob Cross
The climax pitted the two dominant forces of the season against each other. Despite Rob Cross averaging over 100, he found it incredibly difficult to make an impact against a resurgent MVG. Recovering from a somewhat disappointing semi-final performance, Michael Van Gerwen produced a masterclass, averaging 103.36 and securing his fifth Premier League title with an emphatic 11-5 victory, sealed with a stunning 130 checkout. It was a testament to his unwavering class and ability to perform when it mattered most.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
