Clayton books his playoff place with Glasgow win

Jonny Clayton defeated Michael van Gerwen 6-3 in the Night 13 final in Glasgow to claim his fourth Cazoo Premier League victory of 2022 and a Play-Off berth.

During his title defence, the Welshman has been in imperious form, increasing his lead at the top of the table to six points with victory in front of almost 9,000 fans at the OVO Hydro.

With three league nights remaining, Clayton has guaranteed his qualifying for the Play-Offs in Berlin on June 13 after fifth-placed Joe Cullen lost in the quarter-finals to Van Gerwen.

“It means a lot to see that ‘Q’ next to my name,” said Clayton. “That was my aim, to make the top four.

 “I would love to finish top, but the top four is what I wanted to be in. Hopefully I carry on winning games and can finish top.

 “Part one is done, but part two is to try and win the Premier League again. I played well tonight and I am really happy with my game.”

 

His path to his sixth final of the year began with a 6-2 victory against James Wade in a rematch of the Night 12 final from last Thursday in Dublin.

He then destroyed the aspirations of home favourite Gary Anderson with a 6-4 triumph in the semi-final.

Clayton’s scoring proved too strong, despite Anderson’s three ton-plus checkouts, including a night-high 150 finish. Clayton also completed a 141 combination.

Anderson had earlier defeated a lacklustre Peter Wright in the night’s first game, an all-Scottish match to kick off the Premier League’s return to the OVO Hydro.

Van Gerwen’s run to the final began with a 6-5 triumph over Cullen, which was followed by an 11-leg victory over Michael Smith in perhaps the game of the night.

Smith appeared to be the more likely of the two to reach the final, leading 4-2, but Van Gerwen battled back with a 108 checkout to reduce the margin and then a 104 finish to break throw in the decider.

Van Gerwen’s run to the final has put him 13 points clear of Cullen in fifth position, but the Dutchman’s Play-Off spot is all but assured with only 15 points to play for over the next three league nights.

The action continues next Thursday at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield with Night 14, which features Clayton vs. Smith.

Van Gerwen will face World Champion Wright in the quarterfinals, while world number two Price will face Anderson, and Yorkshireman Cullen will face Wade.

 

2022 Cazoo Premier League

Night 13 – OVO Arena, Glasgow

Thursday May 5

Quarter-Finals

Peter Wright 2-6 Gary Anderson

Jonny Clayton 6-2 James Wade

Gerwyn Price 3-6 Michael Smith

Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Joe Cullen

 

Semi-Finals

Gary Anderson 4-6 Jonny Clayton

Michael Smith 5-6 Michael van Gerwen

 

Final

Jonny Clayton 6-3 Michael van Gerwen