Nathan Aspinall marked an impressive night of darts in Manchester as he clinched his first Premier League victory of 2025. The achievement not only delighted the local crowd at the AO Arena but also propelled Aspinall into the playoff contention of the Premier League standings. Known for his resilience, the 33-year-old from Stockport staged a remarkable comeback after falling behind 3-0 to world number one Luke Humphries, ultimately winning the match 6-4.
Aspinall’s victory came after Humphries missed a crucial dart that could have increased his lead to 4-0. This miss proved pivotal, as Aspinall seized the momentum, winning five consecutive legs to secure a thrilling victory in the tenth leg. Fans were treated to a vibrant evening of darts, which also saw Welsh player Gerwyn Price achieve a nine-darter, contributing to the sixth-highest average in the history of televised Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) matches, posted by Humphries at 118.43 in the quarter-finals.
The semi-finals saw Aspinall outshine three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen with an impressive performance, averaging 101.31 in a 6-2 victory. On the other hand, Humphries faced a fierce battle against fellow competitor Luke Littler. Despite neither player being at their peak performance, Humphries managed to grind out a 6-4 win and kept his championship aspirations alive.
As the final commenced, Aspinall initially struggled, allowing Humphries to take an early 3-0 lead. Yet, real determination shone through as Aspinall regained his focus, breaking Humphries’ throw with a remarkable 11-dart finish, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Over the course of the game, Aspinall elevated his average from the low 70s to 93.29. He threatened to finish the match in spectacular fashion, launching six consecutive perfect darts to lead 5-4, yet some nerves crept in, and he faced a tense finale. Ultimately, however, he nailed double four to clinch the victory.
Reflecting post-match for Sky Sports, Aspinall expressed the level of tension he experienced during those closing moments, exclaiming, “I have never, ever, ever been so nervous as on those last darts.” He credited the home crowd for the energy they provided, stating, “What support I’ve had tonight. They were absolutely unreal. I wanted to win so much for the crowd.” Aspinall’s journey has been tumultuous with battles against dartitis and injury, but he demonstrates a fighting spirit that keeps him in the game. With this win, he climbed to fourth in the league standings, tying in points with Price and Van Gerwen.
The Premier League night had its highlights, including Price’s historic nine-darter, which he recorded while trailing against Littler. Price showcased his consistent ability, but Littler managed to win the match 6-3, breaking a six-match losing streak against the 2021 world champion. Additionally, Humphries achieved a stunning average of 118.43 during his victory over Stephen Bunting, ranking as one of the highest averages in league history. Van Gerwen similarly showcased his skills with a 6-4 victory over Chris Dobey, despite previous injury concerns.
The results within the evenings’ matchups were significant, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the Premier League Darts season. Aspinall’s significant win, combined with competitive strategies from other top players, keeps the race for playoff spots very much alive, with the next matches poised to be just as thrilling.
As the Premier League Darts season continues, fans can look forward to night 11 in Rotterdam on April 17, featuring matches that will further shape the standings and the race to the playoffs at London’s O2 Arena.