ASPINALL TIGHTENS PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF GRIP WITH NIGHT 15 WIN

NATHAN ASPINALL cruised to a 6-1 victory against Chris Dobey in the final of Night 15 in the Premier League to win at Aberdeen. 

‘The Asp’ is FOUR points clear of Michael van Gerwen in fourth spot meaning the Dutchman MUST win in Sheffield next Thursday to qualify for the play-offs at the O2 on May 29.  

World No. 10 Aspinall smashed in an 89 checkout to break the Dobey throw and have a 2-0 lead in the bout. 

‘Hollywood hit back chucking in an 12-darter to reduce the deficit to 2-1 at the P&J Arena. 

Stockport ace Aspinall found his power scoring in the fourth leg as he threw in two 180s and took out 19 to restore his advantage to 3-1. 

Former UK Open champion Aspinall then reeled off the next three legs, averaging 92.77 to defeat Dobey, who managed to hit just one double from 12 attempts in the bout. 

‘The Asp’ defeated Michael van Gerwen 6-3 and hit a stellar 140 checkout on the way to victory in the last eight. 

Two-time major winner Aspinall dispatched Stephen Bunting 6-1 in the semi-final and pinned an 86-bull finish along the way. 

Following his second Nightly victory, Aspinall believed his composure and confidence on the oche gave him an edge over his opponents.  

He said: “I felt really confident coming into tonight. Obviously, last week I should have beaten Littler, and I’m not afraid to admit I bottled it last week, I knew the importance of it, but tonight’s a new night.  

“I knew I’ve had the better of Michael [Van Gerwen] over the last few weeks, and I thought I was really composed in that game against Michael. 

“Fair play to Michael after the game, he went: ‘Your finishing was fantastic,’ and then I thought it really meant nothing unless I won my next game. If I won my next game, he has to make the final [next week]. 

“That was a big game after beating Michael, and I’ve not played amazing tonight, but what I’ve done tonight is I’ve been composed.  

“I’ve not celebrated, I’ve kept myself in the moment. 

“When things aren’t going well, the crowd have helped me by cheering my name, and there’s been a couple of legs where I’ve been a bit rubbish at the finishing.  

“But apart from that, I think my finishing’s been pretty bang-on tonight.” 

Aspinall now believes the pressure is on Van Gerwen to qualify for finals night.

He added: “After the last two years, all I’ve said to everyone, all my family, is I don’t want to come fifth again.

“It’s so hard, you know, getting face-times off Van Gerwen or whoever’s in it, saying: ‘wish you were here mate,’ and all that stuff, but I’ve put one foot in the finals tonight.

“Obviously I play Michael again next week, If I beat him, it’s done, if it doesn’t go my way, he’s got to win the night, so the pressure’s on him.

“I’ll prepare like it’s a do or die game. I can save myself three hours of misery if I can go there and beat him.

“If I win, I’m going to the O2 which is a dream of mine, If I lose, then I need to pray on the boys. But I don’t want to that, it’s in my hands now.”

Bunting defied a magnificent nine-darter from Gerwyn Price as he recorded a 6-4 triumph in the quarter-final. 

Dobey averaged a superb 107.08 and smashed in five 180s to overcome Rob Cross 6-2 in the opening bout.  

Former Masters champion Dobey hit 50 percent of his doubles and survived four match darts to edge Luke Littler 6-5 in the last four. 

Teen sensation Littler averaged a sensational 116 and thumped in two ton plus checkouts to defeat Luke Humphries 6-3 in a high-class affair between the two.  

World No. 1 Humphries averaged 110 and threw NINE 180s in defeat.