Premier League Darts: Debuter Chris Dobey beats Michael van Gerwen to opening night win in Belfast | Darts News

Chris Dobey enjoyed his dream Premier League debut as he beat Michael van Gerwen in the Belfast I . final Cardiff International Arena hosts the second of 17 individual venues on Thursday, February 9 with a play-off back to The O2 in London on Thursday, May 25.

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Watch the best action from the Premier League’s Night One in Belfast

Chris Dobey made his dream Premier League debut as he beat six-time defending champion Michael van Gerwen to a win on opening night in Belfast.

Dobey earned his first major PDC title by winning the Masters in Milton Keynes, the tournament that landed him on the cast list for this year’s Premier League.

The 32-year-old from Bedlington forged a Hollywood-style finish after beating former two-time world champion Peter Wright in the quarterfinals and then beating Nathan Aspinall to reach the final, where he disappointed the most beloved Van Gerwen.

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Dobey makes an epic 170 shot against Van Gerwen in the final

An engrossing final, which saw Dobey reeling in game 170 in the second leg, came to a decisive turn as Dobey landed in a sensational 160 game to end a memorable week.

“I’m living the dream,” said delighted Dobey, who has twice acted as Challenger in the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Premier League.

“The 160 check has to take place because Michael is waiting at 127 and he has the ability to do it.

“Michael had a great record ahead of me, and it makes you think, but I knew I could do it after beating him on TV for the first time at the European Championship.

“I know what I can do, and right now my confidence is high.

“I feel that I deserve my place in the league, I don’t have anything to prove to myself but I think I proved a few people wrong tonight.

“I’m tasting it now and I love it. I want to be here all the time.”

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Dobey created a Hollywood ending in the decisive battle to win Night One

Van Gerwen took three points after sweet revenge on Michael Smith in their first meeting since the World Championship final, and Dimitri Van den Bergh finished second on the embryonic board.

Losing to semi-finalists Aspinall and Van den Bergh left Belfast with two points each thanks to quarter-final victories over Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton respectively.

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Thrower Bedlington says he’s been confident from his Masters win to win his Premier League debut

“You’ve got it or you don’t have it. He knew he had the ability so the panic didn’t set it up. Winning at the Masters was the catalyst for us not to know, but that’s it. was the catalyst for tonight. It was an amazing win. He didn’t look worried about the 160 but he was creating it for himself. I love seeing new winners. Dobey been a great player for a long time. Good luck to him. He wasn’t. Don’t worry, it’s confusing, but keep it up Chris.”

Wayne Mardle on Chris Dobey

Where will we go next?

The Premier League’s roadshow will take place at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on Thursday, 9 February for the Monday Night of the tournament stage, when Wels duo Price and Clayton face Dobey and Smith in the match respectively. Quarterfinals.

The other quarterfinals of the night will see Aspinall facing Wright, while Van Gerwen takes on Van den Bergh.

We’ll be back to watch more Premier League Darts matches from Cardiff International Arena on Thursday, 9 February – live on Sky Sports Arena from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 7:30 p.m.