In sports where combatants compete on an individual basis, it logically follows that opponents will cross paths with each other fairly regularly. For example, Tennis and Snooker and Darts. The latter being the focus of attention hereafter.
Between the ordinary ‘Floor’ tournaments and the bigger televised events, even Stephen Hawking would get hard to keep count of the times players meet during a season. Never mind throughout their entire careers.
Given such circumstances, it’s probably only natural that results will fluctuate between two players over time. Yet, in the case at hand here, there have been occasions when it appeared nobody could get near Michael Van Gerwen.
One is not suggesting he is back to such imperious levels presently, but there’s no doubt the Green Machine has gone up through the gears in recent weeks. All the while chasing a seventh Premier League title.
As with his victorious evening in Dublin last week, the league’s most prolific performer began his night’s work with a 6-3 win over Gerwyn Price. Thereafter, he navigated a way past the typically obstinate Nathan Aspinall, who himself had overcome current World Champion Michael Smith by the same score.
On the other side of the draw, if one was to title it thus, better finishing was all that separated Dimitri van den Bergh and Chris Dobey as the Premier League newcomer gave the affable Belgian many more headaches than the 6-3 would suggest. Peter Wright also gave Jonny Clayton plenty to do but ultimately lost out again.
Having taken out Nathan Aspinall and Dimitri van den Bergh in their semi finals respectively and with both returning to something like their best form, one would have expected a close affair in the final between MVG and Clayton but the Dutchman chalked up another nightly win at his ease.
Thus strengthening his advantageous position at the top of Cazoo league table, with Price, Aspinall and Smith all bunched in behind but a minimum of six off the pace.