Durrant eliminated as Van den Bergh moves a point clear on Night Seven
Glen Durrant s elimination from the Unibet Premier League was confirmed as the reigning champion lost 7-4 to Jose de Sousa on Tuesday as Dimitri Van den Bergh moved a point clear at the top of the table.
The Grand Slam of Darts champion also became the first player this season to win three straight matches as he took another step towards securing his spot in the second half of the campaign.
An improved showing from Durrant saw him land a 180 in taking the opening leg, just his fourth of the season, and only a second ton-plus checkout of the campaign as a 104 combination moved him 2-1 up.
“I won’t get ahead of myself though, my aim is still just to make sure I’m still in the competition after Judgement Night.” Van Gerwen showed signs of returning to his destructive best during a 7-3 victory over Rob Cross – a repeat of the 2019 final. The Dutchman boasted a 107.58 average and produced four maximums as he backed up his win over Peter Wright on Tuesday night. Very happy with the result and performance this evening. I felt amazing on the stage. Credit to Rob as he pushed me the whole game. Feels nice to be done early as now I can get some food in and play a bit of COD. Thank you for all the messages from everyone across the day pic.twitter.com/bTlIJwoQtY
OWS WEEKLY DARTS ROUNDUP By Paul Durrant - The Leader Newspaper theleader.info - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theleader.info Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
FORMER Pontyberem RFC skipper Jonny Clayton claimed another major darts title on Sunday, by beating Australian Damon Heta 8-6 in the fourth PDC Players Championship final in Bolton. The 46 year-old - who earned his nickname The Ferret during his days playing as a scrum-half - had hit the headlines by winning his first television title in January’s Ladbrokes Masters Final. Clayton, who works as a plasterer for Carmarthenshire County Council, had gone on to reach three out of four finals in the Super Series, and finally came through for the £10,000 prize title. After getting an early break to take a 2-0 lead, he then struggled to find a double as Heta won three legs in succession - and as the two players then went toe-to-toe, the score moved to 4-4.
By Paul Durrant
The 2021 ProTour season kicked off at Whites Hotel, Bolton last week, four Players Championship events over consecutive days starting Thursday. A total of £300,000 in prize money, 75k per day, with 10k to the winner, 6k for the runner up.
Thursdays winner was Joe Cullen, narrow victor over newly crowned Ladbrokes Masters Champion, Jonny Clayton 8-7. Cullens winning average a paltry 86.5, Clayton 92.8, they are long tiring days starting at 2-00pm. No excuse though, as Clayton recorded a semi average of 109.6 in his demolition of Jon Worsley 7-0.
Thursdays winner was Joe Cullen
Michael Smith managed the 1st 9 darter, the 4th of the season ( 3 at Q School ). His combination, 180,177,144, in the 9th leg of his opening match. Michael van Gerwen went out to new TourCard holder, Lewy Williams in the 3rd round 6-5, yet another brilliant Welshman. Three missed match darts from MvG allowed the youngster to check out on 111 in the eleventh leg. Raymond van Barneveld went ou