Luke Humphries made it three wins in three weeks in the Premier League in Dublin; he beat Michael Smith 6-2 in the final after Smith knocked out Luke Littler in the quarter-finals; watch the Premier League Darts roadshow every Thursday night live on Sky Sports
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A look at the best of the action from Night 8 of the Premier League in Dublin.
Luke Humphries cruised to a 6-2 victory over Michael Smith in Dublin to seal his third Premier League nightly win in a row.
After wins in Nottingham and Brighton, Humphries came into the night as the man to beat and did not fold under the pressure, a 107 average helping him to a big win in the final.
Humphries, who beat Peter Wright and Nathan Aspinall earlier in the night, was simply unplayable in the early legs, racing to a 4-0 lead against the St Helens man.
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Having defeated Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price, Smith fought back in the final with a 125 checkout to bring the game to 5-2 but the world champion was just too good, taking out D8 for the Dublin win.
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Luke Humphries claimed his third straight Premier League victory after beating Michael Smith in the final in Dublin.
“I am loving every second,” Humphries said after his win.
“At the start of the season I felt really worn out and it felt a little tough for me and I found it really hard.
“Now, I am enjoying playing the game and that is when I am at my best.
“I feel much more comfortable on the stage, I feel like I belong here.
“The last three weeks have just been brilliant, my standard has been really high.
“I am not unbeatable but I feel like I am in that stage of performance where it takes a big performance to beat me.”
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After winning his third straight Premier League night, Luke Humphries said ‘it takes a big performance’ to beat him.
Humphries’ night of formidable performances saw a classy contest against Aspinall, the world champion sealing a solid 6-4 win for his spot in the final.
After Humphries broke the throw and took out a 104 checkout for a 4-2 lead, Aspinall fought back with a break of his own but Cool Hand did not fold under the pressure, taking another break of throw and securing his spot in the final.
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Nathan Aspinall couldn’t hide his admiration for opponent Luke Humphries as he took out 104
He also started his night with a win over struggling Wright in a top vs bottom of the table clash.
Wright may have had the fans in Dublin on his side, but Humphries’ had two breaks of throw that helped him cruise to the win, a 130 checkout plus a 120 Shanghai finish with two bullseyes sealing his semi-final spot.
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Watch Luke Humphries hit this double bullseye finish during his Premier League match against Peter Wright
Smith defeats Littler and Price on way to Dublin finale
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Michael Smith breaks Luke Littler’s throw with 122 on bullseye in Dublin
Despite his loss in the final, it was a good night for Smith, starting with a big win in his quarter-final as Luke Littler crashed out early for the first time since Night Three in Glasgow.
Although Littler took an early 3-1 lead with a solid break of throw, St Helens’ finest fought back with a big 122 checkout and then another break of throw for the 6-4 win, Littler struggling on key doubles throughout.
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Michael Smith beats Luke Littler in Night Eight of Premier League Darts in Dublin
Smith then showed some steel to win a last-leg decider against Gerwyn Price, taking out a huge 104 checkout to seal the deal.
The match ebbed and flowed as both players brought out their best darts but after a purple patch for Price, Smith held firm for the 6-5 win and to set up the crunch clash with Humphries.
It feels someone nicknamed the Green Machine should thrive in a venue like Dublin but Michael van Gerwen’s difficult run continued as he lost a thrilling 6-5 clash against Price.
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Michael van Gerwen hits this brilliant 132 finish against Gerwyn Price
The Iceman found an early break of throw for a 4-1 lead and despite a champagne 132 checkout for MVG to break back, Price held his nerve to clinch the win on tops.
The quarter-finals also saw Aspinall clinch a last-leg decider against Rob Cross in his quarter-final, sealing the 6-5 win in a tight game.
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Nathan Aspinall hits a sensational 114 and 122 checkout against Rob Cross in Dublin
Although he took an early 2-0 lead Cross battled back, Aspinall finally taking the victory on D1, 114 and 122 checkouts helping him along the way.
What’s next?
Premier League Darts now heads to the SSE Arena in Belfast on Thursday March 28.
Night Nine will see a rematch of the World Champs final as Luke Humphries takes on Luke Littler, Michael Smith faces Michael van Gerwen, Nathan Aspinall is up against Gerwyn Price, and Rob Cross plays Peter Wright.
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Premier League Darts continues on Sky Sports on Thursday February 8 as Berlin is the next stop on the 17-week extravaganza all the way through to the Play-Offs at the O2 Arena in London on Thursday, May 23. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract through NOW
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