Price shows steel in Sheffield to boost Play-Off hopes

Gerwyn Price

Gerwyn Price defeated Michael van Gerwen 6-5 in the final of Cazoo Premier League Night 15 in Sheffield to gain ground in the Play-Off race.

Price returned to form at the Utilita Arena, producing back-to-back 100 averages to reach the final for the first time since Night Three in Belfast, when he landed two nine-dart finishes on the way to victory.

The Welshman pocketed the £10,000 winner's bonus in Sheffield and picks up a crucial five league points, which move him up to fifth place, just two points adrift of Peter Wright in the final Play-Off place.

"I don't think I was at my best today but I'm happy to win," Price reflected. "The last couple of weeks I've been under the cosh and not playing well.

"I was under a lot of pressure tonight; I knew I needed to win two of the last three nights to make the Play-Offs.

"I know I'm in with a shout and if I win next week I'm back in the Play-Off places - as long as I get there I will be happy."

Van Gerwen made the early running in the final, taking leads of 3-1 and 4-2, but after the Dutchman missed four darts at double 12 for a 5-3 lead, Price pinned a key double two with his last dart in hand to level.

Van Gerwen produced a showpiece shot on 95 - hitting a single 19 and two double 19s - to send the contest to a deciding leg but Price held his nerve on throw with a 14-dart leg to seal a vital win.

Price's night began with a 6-4 quarter-final victory over Gary Anderson, before he saw off Joe Cullen 6-3 in the semi-finals.

"I enjoyed the final but in the first two games I was under pressure," Price added. "Once I beat Gary and Joe, things probably came a little bit easier for me.

"I knew I needed to win the first game against Gary, and against Joe I knew he would be cold having had a bye in the first round, and I just needed to get into him a little bit.

"To produce 100+ averages in my first two games when the pressure was on and find some of my best darts was good, but there's a lot more in the tank.

"I got the five points, £10,000 and the main thing is I'm still in with a chance of winning this tournament."

Van Gerwen picked up three league points with a third runner-up finish in four weeks thanks to victories over Wright and Michael Smith to join Jonny Clayton in securing qualification for the Play-Offs with two league phase nights to spare.

Losing semi-finalists Cullen and Smith leave Yorkshire with two points each, with the latter surviving seven missed match darts against league leader Jonny Clayton as he came from 5-2 down to win in a decider.

The Cazoo Premier League roadshow heads to The O2 in London on Thursday May 19 for Night 15 of the league phase, as Price looks to maintain his Play-Off push against fellow-countryman Clayton.

The night's other quarter-finals will see Van Gerwen play Smith, Cullen face Anderson and Wright take on James Wade, who missed the night in Sheffield due to illness.

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The Cazoo Premier League is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland).

2022 Cazoo Premier League
Night 14 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield
Thursday May 12
Quarter-Finals

Joe Cullen Bye James Wade
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Peter Wright
Michael Smith 6-5 Jonny Clayton

Semi-Finals
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Joe Cullen
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Michael Smith

Final
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Michael van Gerwen

Click here to view match stats from all Night 14 matches.

Night 15 - The O2, London
Thursday May 19

Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price v Jonny Clayton
Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen
James Wade v Peter Wright
Joe Cullen v Gary Anderson

Cazoo Premier League table