Bedlington’s Dobey stuns Michael van Gerwen to win opening night in Belfast
Chris Dobey Makes Impressive Premier League Darts Debut with Sensational Win Over Michael van Gerwen
The Premier League Darts season got off to a thrilling start in Belfast as debutant Chris Dobey produced a sensational performance to defeat six-time defending champion Michael van Gerwen. Dobey, 32, from Bedlington, made his Premier League debut after securing his first major PDC title at the Masters in Milton Keynes.
The opening night of the tournament saw Dobey showcase his talent on the big stage, as he battled his way through the quarterfinals with a victory over two-time former world champion Peter Wright. In the semifinals, Dobey sent Nathan Aspinall crashing out, setting up a mouth-watering final against favorite van Gerwen.
The final was a nail-biting affair, with both players showing their skill and determination. He pulled off a 170 checkout in the second leg, but van Gerwen fought back and the match went all the way to a deciding leg. In a moment that will live long in the memory of darts fans, Dobey landed a 160 checkout to secure a memorable win.
After the match, he said, “I’m living the dream. I felt that I deserved my place in the tournament, and I think I’ve proved a few people wrong tonight. I know what I can do, and right now my confidence is sky high.”
Van Gerwen, who had previously defeated Michael Smith and Dimitri Van den Bergh, picked up three league points, putting him second on the table. Despite the loss, van Gerwen remains one of the top players in the world and will be looking to make a comeback in the coming weeks.
Losing semi-finalists Aspinall and Van den Bergh each picked up two points thanks to their quarterfinal victories over Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton respectively. The Premier League Darts season promises to be an exciting one, with many talented players looking to make their mark on the big stage. With the likes of Chris Dobey now on the scene, fans can expect plenty of drama and thrills in the coming weeks.
