Gerwyn Price hailed the ‘brilliant’ support he’s received in this year’s Cazoo Premier League after celebrating Night Seven success in Nottingham on Thursday.
Price recorded a trio of 6-4 victories against Jonny Clayton, Dimitri Van den Bergh and Chris Dobey to secure his second nightly win of this year’s roadshow at the Motorpoint Arena.
This lifts the 38-year-old above World Champion Michael Smith into second spot in the table, as he sets his sights on Play-Off qualification for the first time in his Premier League career.
“In the last couple of weeks I’ve been playing really well,” reflected Price, who also claimed the spoils on Night Two in Cardiff.
“I played well at the UK Open, in the first European Tour and last weekend’s ProTours, but it just takes players to raise their game and pip you, and that is what sport is all about.
“It has just been the odd missed dart at a double that has been costing me games, so I’m glad the doubles I missed today didn’t come back and haunt me and I was able to win the night.”
It has been a case of feast or famine for Price in this year’s Premier League, who becomes only the second player – along with league leader Michael van Gerwen – to claim a brace of nightly wins.
The Welshman has now featured in three finals within seven weeks, having also succumbed to Van Gerwen in a dramatic Night Four decider in Dublin.
However, he has suffered quarter-final exits on the other four nights, and concedes that he must become more consistent if he’s to challenge for the coveted title at London’s O2 in May.
“It’s not just about winning nights, it’s about accumulating points,” added Price, who opened Thursday’s action with victory over his World Cup partner Clayton.
“I’m missing a lot of doubles but I know I’m playing well. It was a tough game against Jonny, but once I got through that I felt a lot more comfortable.
“When I get through the first game I seem to either get to a final or win it, but I need to be a bit more consistent.”
Price recovered from 4-3 down to account for Clayton in the last eight, before a sensational 156 checkout wrapped up victory over Van den Bergh and set up a showdown against Night One winner Dobey.
Dobey – who dumped out Smith and whitewashed Van Gerwen to register his first points since his Belfast exploits – raced into a 2-0 lead, but finishes of 110 and 138 saw Price prevail with a ton-plus average.
The 2021 World Champion has already equalled his haul of nightly wins from last year’s showpiece, and he attributes his impressive form to the support he’s received during the opening seven nights.
“The crowd have been fantastic with me this year,” continued Price, who will take on Clayton in his Night Eight opener in Newcastle next week.
“I am enjoying the game a lot more and that’s largely due to the crowd being on my side. They have been brilliant.
“It just gives me the freedom to play my natural game like I do on the ProTour and European Tour.
“Hopefully the crowds can keep supporting me like they have so far, and I can make the Play-Offs for the first time and hopefully lift that trophy.”
