Premier League Darts: Nathan Aspinall Wins Nightly Title in Aberdeen
A dramatic evening of darts in Aberdeen saw Nathan Aspinall claim the nightly win, closing in on a play-off spot in the Premier League. According to a report from the BBC, Aspinall’s 6-1 victory over Chris Dobey in the final has put him on the brink of qualifying for the play-offs.
The evening’s action got underway with a thrilling match between world champion Luke Littler and world number one Luke Humphries, which featured an astonishing 14 180s. Despite averaging 110.01, Humphries was unable to halt Littler, who averaged 115.96 to secure a hard-fought win. As the BBC reports, Littler’s victory guaranteed him top spot in the league phase, a position that also confirmed his place in the four-man play-offs in London on 29 May, alongside Humphries and Gerwyn Price.
In a stunning turn of events, Price hit a nine-darter but was ultimately defeated 6-4 in the quarter-finals by Stephen Bunting. The Welshman’s loss paved the way for Aspinall to move up the standings, and he made full use of the opportunity. The Englishman defeated Michael van Gerwen 6-3 before dispatching Bunting 6-1, setting up a final showdown with Dobey.
Aspinall’s 6-1 victory over Dobey in the final was a commanding performance, and it moved him above van Gerwen into fourth spot in the standings. With just one night left to play, Aspinall is now four points clear of his nearest rival, and if van Gerwen does not claim the night win in Sheffield next week, Aspinall will claim the last play-off spot. As the BBC reports, Aspinall is eager to avoid finishing fifth for the second successive year, a position he occupied in both 2023 and 2024.
In a post-match interview, Aspinall told the BBC: "All I have said to my family, I don’t want to come fifth again. I’ve put one foot in the finals. I play Michael [van Gerwen] again next week and the pressure is on him." The Englishman added: "It’s a do or die game. I save myself three hours of misery if I can beat him at 8pm, I’m going to the O2 which is a dream of mine. It’s in my hands."
The Premier League will conclude its league phase next week in Sheffield, with the play-offs taking place on 29 May at the O2 Arena in London. According to the BBC, Littler’s victory in Aberdeen was a testament to his skill and consistency, and he will be joined in the play-offs by Humphries, Price, and now Aspinall, who is on the verge of securing a spot in the top four.
The BBC reports that Aspinall’s rise to prominence has been a feature of the Premier League this season, and his victory in Aberdeen will give him a huge boost of confidence ahead of the play-offs. With the competition heating up, fans can expect an exciting conclusion to the league phase and a thrilling play-off tournament.
The current standings see Littler top of the table, with Humphries, Price, and now Aspinall occupying the top four spots. The play-offs will be fiercely contested, and the BBC will provide extensive coverage of the action from the O2 Arena in London. As the source notes, Aspinall’s win in Aberdeen was a significant result, and it sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the Premier League season.
