An emotional Nathan Aspinall opened up on one of the toughest weeks of his darting career after celebrating a landmark victory on Night 12 of the Cazoo Premier League at Rotterdam Ahoy.
Aspinall defeated Michael van Gerwen, Dimitri Van den Bergh and Gerwyn Price on a memorable night in the Netherlands on Thursday, to become the sixth different nightly winner in this year’s competition.
The 31-year-old kicked off his campaign by denying Van Gerwen a dream homecoming, converting a nerveless 118 checkout to complete a deciding-leg win over the Dutch superstar.
Aspinall then averaged over 99 in his semi-final success against Van den Bergh, before thwarting Price’s bid for a fifth nightly win of 2023 in Thursday’s showpiece.
“After the week I have had, what a result,” reflected Aspinall, who moves up to third in the table following his 6-4 win over league leader Price.
“I needed a big performance and I’ve done it. It puts me back in contention and the other boys are chasing me now, not the other way around.
“I didn’t put any pressure on myself. I just wanted to be able to go up there and throw a dart, and I wanted to enjoy the moment.
“I look at where I came from four or five years ago. I had nothing, and now I’m playing in front of 11,000 people in the Premier League, so why would I not smile?
“I am loving my life, I love what I do and I’m just taking everything in my stride.”
Aspinall has been one of the most consistent performers in this year’s roadshow, having won seven of his 11 quarter-final tussles prior to Rotterdam.
However, the 2020 runner-up suffered a dramatic deciding-leg defeat to Peter Wright in Brighton last Thursday, relinquishing a 4-0 lead against the Scot on the South Coast.
The former UK Open champion cut a disconsolate figure post-match, and he revealed the extent of his turmoil following his Night 12 triumph.
“Last week really hurt me, so to bounce back like I have, I’m really proud,” added Aspinall, who has recorded third-place finishes in each of his previous two league campaigns.
“I’ve always got the belief that I can win tournaments and nights in the Premier League, but after last week I didn’t think I would be able to walk back on the stage. That’s how bad I felt.
“People won’t understand what I’ve been through over the last two or three months. It’s been very tough.
“I am dealing with it. There has clearly been a flaw with my throw, but I’m working with the right people to sort this out.
“I have just won a Premier League night beating the world number three, the world number four and the world number ten with a flaw in my throw, so imagine how good I’ll be when it’s all bang on?”
Statistically, Aspinall’s worst performance of the night came in his quarter-final win over Van Gerwen, although it could prove to be a defining victory in his bid for Play-Off qualification.
Reigning champion Van Gerwen received a hero’s welcome from the sell-out Rotterdam crowd, but Aspinall defied the partisan atmosphere to register his second league win over the Dutchman in 2023.
“That first game against Michael – I have never experienced an atmosphere like that before,” revealed the Stockport star.
“I said to Michael when he walked on – I’ve got the best seat in the house tonight.
“I’m on stage against Michael, with 11,000 Dutch fans all singing his name, and I had front row seats for free!
“It was an amazing experience. I’ve had a pretty bad week, but that’s sport, that’s life. You have to get on with it and hopefully this is the start of a fantastic season.”
2023 Cazoo Premier League
Night 13 - Thursday April 27
First Direct Arena, Leeds
Quarter-Finals
Michael Smith v Chris Dobey
Michael van Gerwen v Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price v Jonny Clayton
Nathan Aspinall v Dimitri Van den Bergh
All matches best of 11 legs