Nathan Aspinall wins night 12 of Premier League Darts in Rotterdam with 6-4 final win over Michael Smith
Semi-final results: Aspinall 6-4 Humphries, Smith 6-5 Price
Quarter-final results: Van Gerwen 4-6 Humphries, Wright 2-6 Aspinall, Cross 3-6 Price, Smith 6-3 Littler
Luke Humphries replaces teenager Luke Littler at top of the table
Get Involved: #bbcdarts, via Whatsapp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard messages rates apply)
Michael Smith v Nathan Aspinall
Something of a rarity for the Premier League but it seems that they are actually ahead of schedule.
The final was slated for 22:30 BST but might actually start a tad earlier. We shall see.
Michael Smith v Nathan Aspinall
Perhaps not the final too many would have predicted but the outcome could go a long way to deciding who makes it through to Finals Night in London next month.
Nathan Aspinall could be three points clear of Michael Smith by the end of the night - and up to third, a point ahead of Michael van Gerwen.
However, victory for Smith would see him leapfrog Aspinall and go level on points with Van Gerwen.
Rod Studd
Commentator on Sky Sports
He was 4-1 down in this match but Nathan Aspinall won five consecutive legs to get home.
Image source, PA MediaResult: Aspinall 6-4 Humphries
He was 4-1 down, on the brink of 5-1, and yet when all is said and done, Nathan Aspinall comes out on top in just about every category.
He averaged 97.19 to Humphries' 92.17 and had three 180s to his opponent's two.
But as much as the trebles alluded Humphries late in the match, it was the doubles that cost him.
The world champ hit just four of 14, Aspinall was only marginally better with six from 20 but that was enough.
Aspinall 6-4 Humphries
What a comeback from Nathan Aspinall!
The Stockport man hits tops to reach his fifth final of the 2024 Premier League.
Luke Humphries congratulates him and he looks baffled as to quite how he let that one slip away.
Aspinall 5-4 Humphries
Nathan Aspinall is flying!
He takes out 94 and with, Luke Humphries seething, The Asp is one leg from the final.
It's Humphries who needs a break now.
Aspinall 4-4 Humphries
Those missed doubles are looking very costly for Luke Humphries now.
He cuts a frustrated figure as Nathan Aspinall hits tops to level the match from 4-1 down!
Aspinall 3-4 Humphries
It's game on now!
A drama-free hold for Nathan Aspinall and suddenly he's back to within a leg of Luke Humphries.
The world champ is still a break up but still is nowhere near as comfortable as it looked like it might be.
Aspinall 2-4 Humphries
Goodness me!
Neither player wanted to win this leg. Luke Humphries misses five darts for a 5-1 lead after Nathan Aspinall had coughed up chances of his own.
The Asp eventually hits double 16 and had a glimmer of hope again.
Aspinall 1-4 Humphries
Luke Humphries is taking control of this match without being anywhere close to his best.
Nathan Aspinall misses a dart at bull to hold and Cool Hand nips in, finding the double at the third attempt.
The world champ is two legs away from another final.
Rod Studd
Commentator on Sky Sports
Humphries briefly lost his luggage, including his darts, on arrival in Rotterdam but they were soon reunited.
Aspinall 1-3 Humphries
Luke Humphries' scoring isn't quite where he'd like it to be at the moment but he is still doing enough to maintain a two-leg lead.
A checkout of 70 is sealed with a double eight and he's halfway to the final.
Aspinall 1-2 Humphries
Much better from Nathan Aspinall as he finds double 16.
His seventh dart at double, the first to find its mark.
Luke Humphries was lying in wait but didn't get the chance to pounce.
Aspinall 0-2 Humphries
Nathan Aspinall bursts into life with a timely 180 to get himself back in the leg.
However, he misses double 12 to break back and Luke Humphries hits double four at the second attempt to hold.
Image source, PA MediaAspinall 0-1 Humphries
Not the start Nathan Aspinall wanted against the world number one!
Three missed darts at double from The Asp and Luke Humphries is able to break with his 21st dart.
Victory for Luke Humphries will put him a point clear at the top of the table and give him the chance to extend that lead to three points.
Nathan Aspinall knows a second nightly win would open up a three-point gap to Michael Smith in fifth...
Image source, BBcNathan Aspinall v Luke Humphries
One semi-final down, one to go!
The Asp is first up on stage and that means another rendition of Mr Brightside.
It's cut off before the crowd can really get into it again as Cake by the Ocean starts up to welcome Luke Humphries.
Result: Smith 6-5 Price
A match that was close all the way through but Michael Smith just edges it in a blow to Gerwyn Price's top-four hopes.
Price had the better average, 94.7 to Smith's 90.27, and his six 180s were two most than his opponent.
However, his finishing let him down. Just five of 20 darts at double found their mark, Smith got six of 16 and that was just enough to get him into the final.
Smith 6-5 Price
Michael Smith is through to his fourth final of the season!
With 74 needed, he leaves himself tops and just one dart at it.
No problem for Bully Boy. He can sit back and await the winner of Nathan Aspinall v Luke Humphries in the second semi-final.
Smith 5-5 Price
Gerwyn Price holds his nerve. One dart at double 10 to force a last-leg decider and he gets it.
Michael Smith has the darts...