Back-to-back Premier League wins as van Gerwen wins night 5 in Exeter

With a win on Night Five in Exeter, Michael van Gerwen extended his lead at the top of the Cazoo Premier League table.

Van Gerwen, who won his first night match of the season in Dublin last week, defeated Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall to advance to the final at Westpoint Exeter.

Van Gerwen took control of the final early on, leading 3-0 against 2021 champion Jonny Clayton, who was competing in his first final of the season.

The Welshman fought back, cutting the deficit to one leg as he trailed 3-4, only for Van Gerwen to win back-to-back legs for his second night victory.

“I’m six points clear now; I love it,” said a delighted Van Gerwen.

“The pressure is on every week and you have to perform, so it’s a relief to win as well.

‘You have to believe in your own ability and I was at my best when I had to be tonight.

“Overall, I think it was a good night for myself.

“The will to win is there and when you get confidence in the Premier League it’s massive.”

Clayton moves up two places to fifth after picking up three league points with wins over Peter Wright (who has yet to score) and Dimitri Van den Bergh.

In other news, semi-finalists Aspinall and Van den Bergh each leave Exeter with two points after quarter-final victories over Michael Smith and Chris Dobey, respectively.

The Cazoo Premier League roadshow visits Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on Thursday, March 9, for Night Six of the league phase, which features a rematch between Van Gerwen and Clayton in the quarter-finals.

Wright will be looking for his first victory when he takes on Price, while Dobey will face Aspinall and Smith will face Van den Bergh.

2023 Cazoo Premier League

Night Five – Thursday March 2

Westpoint Exeter

Quarter-Finals

Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Gerwyn Price

Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Michael Smith

Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-3 Chris Dobey

Jonny Clayton 6-5 Peter Wright

Semi-Finals

Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Nathan Aspinall

Jonny Clayton 6-2 Dimitri Van den Bergh

Final

Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Jonny Clayton