Aspinall on Brink of Premier League Play-Offs After Aberdeen Success
In a thrilling display of darts, Nathan Aspinall moved a step closer to securing his place in the BetMGM Premier League Play-Offs with a stunning victory on Night 15 in Aberdeen. According to PDC.tv, Aspinall, the 33-year-old Stockport star, produced a hat-trick of impressive performances to triumph on Scottish soil.
Aspinall entered Thursday’s action just one point behind Michael van Gerwen in fourth position, but his wins over Van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting, and Chris Dobey catapulted him into pole position for a spot in the season-ending Play-Offs at The O2 in London. As PDC.tv reports, Aspinall now leads Van Gerwen by four points ahead of the final night of league phase action in Sheffield, where the pair will meet again in the evening’s second quarter-final.
The former World Matchplay champion can confirm his qualification with victory over Van Gerwen, while the Dutchman must clinch his first nightly win of the campaign to snatch a Play-Off place. In his post-match interview, Aspinall expressed his confidence, stating, "I felt really confident coming into tonight. Last week I should have beaten Luke [Littler], but tonight was a new night. I thought I was really composed in that game against Michael, although for me it meant nothing unless I won my next game, and I believe the game against Stephen was the big one."
As quoted by PDC.tv, Aspinall added, "It’s in my hands now. The pressure is on Michael next week, but I will prepare like it’s a do-or-die game. If I beat Michael, I know I’m through and I’m going to The O2, which has always been a dream of mine." Aspinall’s victory over Van Gerwen was marked by a crucial 140 checkout, and he followed this up with successive 6-1 wins against Bunting and Dobey.
These results also drew Aspinall level on points with Gerwyn Price in third position. Meanwhile, Dobey’s impressive run continued as he reached his third nightly final of the season, averaging 107 in his thumping 6-2 win against Rob Cross in the last eight. However, his defeat against Aspinall officially ended his top four dreams.
In other matches, Luke Littler ensured he would top the league phase for a second consecutive year with a stunning 6-3 success against Luke Humphries. The pair produced one of the greatest games the Premier League has ever seen, with Littler averaging almost 116 to topple the world number one, who hit nine 180s in as many legs. As PDC.tv notes, Bunting ran out a 6-4 winner in his quarter-final clash against Price, who conjured up his record-extending fifth Premier League nine-darter in defeat.
The final night of league phase action will take place at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena on Thursday, May 22. Littler will play Bunting in the evening’s opener, before Aspinall and Van Gerwen renew their rivalry in a pivotal showdown. The match schedule is as follows:
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Quarter-Finals:
- Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting
- Nathan Aspinall v Michael van Gerwen
- Luke Humphries v Rob Cross
- Gerwyn Price v Chris Dobey
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Semi-Finals:
- Littler/Bunting v Aspinall/Van Gerwen
- Humphries/Cross v Price/Dobey
- Final:
- TBD
All matches are best of 11 legs. For the latest standings and match statistics, visit PDC.tv.
