Michael Smith beat his close friend Aspinall to secure the final qualifying position for next week’s playoff finals at London’s O2 arena. He also went on to win the night beating Luke Humphries 6-3.
The final night of the Premier League Darts did not disappoint. Night 16 saw Smith victorious with this 2nd night win of the season beating Humprhies 6-3 in the final.
By this point however, Smith had already secured his place in next week’s Play-Offs. A 6-3 quarter final win over ‘The Asp’ secured the fourth and final qualifying place for Smith, eliminating Aspinall in the process.
This led to an emotional night for Smith who said “I was literally drained after beating Nathan. I was really emotional because he’s one of my best friends, but I had a job to do tonight.”
Smith put on a solid performance but the break of throw that put him on his way to qualifying was incredible. Winning 4-3 on legs, Smith took out a highly composed 132 finish hitting Bull, Bull, D16 the break the throw and set himself up for a win.
A MOMENT OF MAGIC! 🪄
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 16, 2024
Michael Smith takes out 132 (Bull-Bull-D16) to move within a leg of the Play-Offs!
📺 https://t.co/gbUt9q25Jh#PLDarts | QF2 pic.twitter.com/VKrMaU3rJJ
This however, was arguably NOT the shot of the night last night. Luke Littler beat Peter Wright 6-4 to secure his position at the top of the Premier League table in his debut season.
It’s been an unbelievable year for him so far and to see a debut season like this at just 17 years old is surely something we’ll never see again, we’re witnessing the future of darts in real time.
To show how confident he his, left with a 120 checkout (a famously known Shanghai finish), Littler opted to go an unconventional way to securing the leg with D20, D20, D20 🔝🔝🔝.
De Sousa is watching somewhere proud and it was such a bold move that his opponent Wright couldn’t even believe it!
🔝🔝🔝 120 checkout✅ pic.twitter.com/LcFw0K3G6O
— Luke Littler (@LukeTheNuke180) May 16, 2024
There was also some unofficial drama away from the board. Following a disappointing campaign, Price posted a not too cryptic message to his stories:
With Peter Wright also having a forgetful season and stating this is likely his last to appear in the Premier League, do we think Price will try to opt out of playing next season or is this just a frustrated outburst?
Let us know in the comments below what you think.
Premier League Darts 2024: Night 16 Results
Quarter-Finals:
Luke Littler 6-4 Peter Wright
Michael Smith 6-3 Nathan Aspinall
Luke Humphries 6-4 Gerwyn Price
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Rob Cross
Semi-Finals:
Michael Smith 6-5 Luke Littler
Luke Humphries 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Final:
Michael Smith 6-3 Luke Humphries
Premier League Darts 2024: Night 16 Table
Premier League Darts 2024: Night 16 Final Thoughts
A drama filled night ended another great Premier League Darts season and the anticipation will now build for the finals next week.
If you missed the night, check out the PDC highlights below:
The Premier League Darts Play-Offs will take place at the O2 Arena in London on Thursday May 23 in a best of 19 leg matchup with £275,000 in prize money up for grabs.
Littler will take on Smith in the first semi-finals game while Humphries faces reigning 2023 champion Van Gerwen.
Find all the darts news and previews leading up to the final on decentdarts.com.