Defending Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen won his rematch with Michael Smith 7-5 in an entertaining opener to his bid to win a fourth consecutive title in the event.
Night One results
- James Wade 7-4 Raymond van Barneveld
- Gerwyn Price 7-4 Daryl Gurney
- Chris Dobey 6-6 Mensur Suljovic
- Michael van Gerwen 7-5 Michael Smith
- Peter Wright 6-6 Rob Cross
MVG beats Bully Boy again
The Dutchman beat Smith to win his third Premier League title last year before also beating him in the World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace in January.
MVG again came out on top with an average of just under 105 doing the damage as he claimed two legs on the spin to finish off a match that was nip-and-tuck for the duration.
Smith averaged 95 and pulled out a superb 150 outshot, but it was an 11-darter finished with an 81 finish that saw van Gerwen win his opener as he starts his campaign to once again finish top of the Premier League table.
CRACKING GAME | Michael van Gerwen beats Michael Smith 7-5 with a 105 match average. 💚#Unibet180 pic.twitter.com/NnDHLwBUsi
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 7, 2019
“Michael’s got a load of talent and he knows that, he’s just got a few things he needs to work on maybe on the mental side to improve again.
“But I’m glad I took out that 81 at the end because if I missed there could have been a problem as it would probably have been a draw.
“So it’s nice to start the Premier League season with a win, this is going to be a seriously tough competition this year even without Gary Anderson, believe me.
“I like to try and finish top of the table, I like the dominance and to send out a message to the other players so winning the first match is a good start for that.”
Dobey shines in debut draw
Chris Dobey made a sparkling appearance as one of the nine controversial stand-ins for Gary Anderson, as the local hero played out a thrilling 6-6 draw with Mensur Suljovic.
Dobey had the Utilita Arena crowd on their feet as he stormed into a 5-1 lead against Suljovic only for the Austrian to come storming back with five legs on the spin taking him to the brink of victory.
However, Dobey has proved himself on the big stage over the last few months and again showed his great character by stepping up to take the last leg and earn a draw.
“I felt like Alan Shearer for a moment during my walk-on!”@Dobey10 reacts to his 6-6 draw with Mensur Suljovic... pic.twitter.com/ZLbLkHkE10
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 7, 2019
Dobey hit six 180s with a 113 checkout highlighting a superb performance that will only enhance his claims of being involved in the tournament proper next year.
"I felt like Alan Shearer for a moment during my walk on, it was a dream come true," said Dobey. "If it wasn't for the fans spurring me on I could've easily thrown that one away and it was a great feeling to get the draw in the end."
Price is right - at last
Gerwyn Price had never won in the Premier League but finally got off the mark with a 7-4 success over Daryl Gurney putting him top of the early standings.
The Welshman will face tough crowds this season but showed he can handle the adversity by averaging 104 to win his first Prmier League game at the 10th attempt, after he managed just two draws last season.
“Last year was a daunting experience for me... this year I needed to get off to a good start”
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 7, 2019
Gerwyn Price delighted with his start in the 2019 Unibet Premier League pic.twitter.com/UyRCzKP09m
Gurney could never get going, failing to hit a single maximum, and Price took full advantage with six 180s of his own to power away to victory.
"The way I played today with the crowd on my back and everything that's gone on I'm proud of myself and I hope this can be the start of a good campaign for me.
"I needed to get off to a good start after what happened last season.".
