Humphries & Price seal Premier League play-off spots
TL;DR
Luke Humphries defeated Gerwyn Price 6-4 to win his first night of the Premier League season, securing both players a spot in the play-offs. Humphries' impressive performance included a 6-0 win over Stephen Bunting and a 6-3 victory against Luke Littler.
Key points
- Luke Humphries defeated Gerwyn Price 6-4
- Both players secured play-off spots
- Humphries averaged over 100 in multiple matches
- Finals night is on 28 May
- Humphries was ranked seventh before this week
Defending champion Luke Humphries beat Gerwyn Price to win his first night of the Premier League season, but the pair both sealed play-off spots in Birmingham.
Humphries, who was in his third successive night final, overcame the Welshman 6-4 after an impressive 6-0 win over Stephen Bunting and 6-3 comeback win over Luke Littler.
The 31-year-old was in imperious form, averaging 107 and 111, before another 100-plus average in the final.
It guarantees a place at finals night on 28 May for the third successive year and rounds off a remarkable few weeks for the world number two.
After week 10, Humphries sat seventh in the eight-player table and, before his run to the week 13 final, he was five points off fourth.
He is now guaranteed to finish at least fourth and goes into the final league phase night in Sheffield on 21 May equal on points with third-placed Price.
Price was looking comfortable after picking up a second nightly win in Manchester in week nine but four defeats in five quarter-finals left him with work to do.
He started poorly against on Thursday against Michael van Gerwen but recovered well, before victory over Gian van Veen confirmed his place at the O2 Arena.
It all means that seven-time winner Van Gerwen misses out for just the third time in his career, with the Dutchman exiting in the league phase for the second year in a row.
He is joined by compatriot and debutant Van Veen, while Bunting's exit was also confirmed.
Premier League Darts night 15 results
Quarter-finals
Josh Rock 3-6 Gian van Veen
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries 6-0 Stephen Bunting
Jonny Clayton 0-6 Luke Littler
Semi-finals
Van Veen 4-6 Price
Humphries 6-3 Littler
Final
Price v Humphries
Premier League Darts table
Premier League Darts night 16 fixtures
Thursday, 21 May - Utilita Arena, Sheffield
Based on league table after night 15
Quarter-finals
Jonny Clayton v Stephen Bunting
Gerwyn Price v Gian van Veen
Luke Littler v Josh Rock
Luke Humphries v Michael van Gerwen
Premier League Darts format and points system
Premier League Darts is played across 16 initial weeks in the league stage with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final each night.
Each of the eight players is guaranteed to face the other seven in the quarter-finals in weeks one to seven and 9-15, with week eight and week 16 fixtures compiled according to the table. It means we will get fourth v fifth in Sheffield on the final league-stage night, with the play-off spots potentially on the line.
Players earn two points per quarter-final win, an additional point if they win their semi-final and five for winning the night.
The top four players after the group stage progress to the play-off night at London's O2 Arena on 28 May, with first facing fourth and second against third in a best-of-19-leg match. The final, which is the best of 21 legs, follows.
If players are level on points after the 16 weeks, then places are decided by nights won and then matches won.
Q&A
How did Luke Humphries secure his place in the Premier League play-offs?
Luke Humphries secured his place in the Premier League play-offs by winning against Gerwyn Price and achieving strong performances in earlier matches.
What were Luke Humphries' average scores during the Premier League night?
Luke Humphries averaged 107 and 111 in earlier matches, and maintained a 100-plus average in the final against Gerwyn Price.
When is the finals night for the Premier League darts?
The finals night for the Premier League darts is scheduled for 28 May.
