Chris Dobey enjoys a Premier League dream by defeating Michael van Gerwen in Belfast I Cardiff International Arena will be the second of 17 venues on Thursday, February 9 with the play-offs returning to The O2 in London on Thursday, May 25.
Last Updated: 02/02/23 11:28pm
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Check out the best of what happened on Night One of the Premier League in Belfast
Check out the best of what happened on Night One of the Premier League in Belfast
Chris Dobey had a Premier League dream come true when he stunned reigning Michael van Gerwen six times to win on the opening night in Belfast.
Dobey claimed his first PDC title by winning the Masters in Milton Keynes which helped him break the Premier League table this year.
And the 32-year-old from Bedlington made the Hollywood final by defeating former world champion Peter Wright in the quarter-finals and sending Nathan Aspinall to the final where he upset defending champion Van Gerwen.
Premier League – Night 1 in Belfast Results
| The last part | Dimitri Van den Bergh | 6-2 | Jonny Clayton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Smith | 3-6 | Michael van Gerwen | |
| Peter Wright | 3-6 | Chris Dobey | |
| Nathan Aspinall | 6-4 | Gerwyn Tree | |
| Semi-finals | Dimitri Van den Bergh | 4-6 | Michael van Gerwen |
| Chris Dobey | 6-4 | Nathan Aspinall | |
| The last thing | Chris Dobey | 6-5 | Michael van Gerwen |
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Dobey finished this 170 against Van Gerwen in the final
An impressive finish, which saw Dobey drop 170 in the second round, reached the deciding stage as Dobey hit an impressive 160 to take five points in the league.
“I’m living the dream,” said a delighted Dobey, who starred twice as a Challenger in the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Premier League.
“The 160 out had to go because Michael was expecting 127 and he could get out.
“Michael has a good record against me, and it gets in your head, but I knew I could do it when we fought on TV for the first time in the European Championship.
“I know what I can do, and right now my confidence is sky high.
“I felt I deserved to be in the competition, I didn’t have anything to prove myself but I think I proved a few people wrong tonight.
“I can taste it now and I love it. I want to be here all the time.”
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‘Hollywood’ made 160 of these magic tricks in choosing to win Night One
Van Gerwen took three points in the league after sweetly repaying Michael Smith in their first meeting since the World Championship final, with Dimitri Van den Bergh second in the embryonic table.
Final losers Aspinall and Van den Bergh leave Belfast with two points each thanks to quarter-final wins over Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton respectively.
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Dobey says he relied on his Masters win to win his Premier League
Sunday – Crown Masters Champion
Monday – Announced in the Premier League for 2023
Thursday – Wins in Belfast for the first time
“You either have it or you don’t, they know they have the potential so there’s no fear. Winning the Masters is what helps us, we don’t know, but it’s encouraging. for tonight. This was an amazing win. He didn’t look nervous at 160 but he’s building himself. I like to see new winners. Dobey has been great player for a long time. Good luck to him. I’m nervous, which is amazing, but I’m messing with Chris.”
Wayne Mardle on Chris Dobey
Where are we going?
Night 2 in Cardiff: Thursday, February 9
| Quarter-Finals | Michael Smith vs Jonny Clayton |
|---|---|
| Nathan Aspinall vs Peter Wright | |
| Gerwyn Price vs Chris Dobey | |
| Michael van Gerwen vs Dimitri Van den Bergh |
Premier League action heads to Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on Thursday, February 9 for Night Two of the league stage, with Welsh duo Price and Clayton taking on Dobey and Smith respectively in the quarter-finals.
The night’s other quarter-finals will see Aspinall take on Wright, while Van Gerwen takes on Van den Bergh.
2023 Premier League Schedule
| Night 2 | Cardiff International Arena | February 9 |
| Night 3 | OVO Hydro, Glasgow | February 16 |
| Night 4 | 3 Arena, Dublin | February 23 |
| Night 5 | Westpoint Exeter | March 2 |
| Night 6 | Brighton Centre | March 9 |
| Night 7 | Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham | March 16 |
| Night 8 | Utilita Arena, Newcastle | March 23 |
| Night 9 | Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin | March 30 |
| 10 at night | Utility Arena, Birmingham | April 6 |
| 11 at night | M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool | April 13 |
| 12th night | Rotterdam Ahoy | April 20 |
| The night of the 13th | First Direct Arena, Leeds | April 27 |
| The night of the 14th | AO Arena, Manchester | May 4th |
| The night of the 15th | Utilita Arena, Sheffield | May 11 |
| The night of the 16th | P&J Live, Aberdeen | May 18 |
| Gameplay | O2, London | May 25th |
We’re back with Premier League Darts action from the Cardiff International Arena on Thursday, February 9 – live on Sky Sports Arena from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 7.30pm.
