A favourite central Brisbane watering hole will close on Saturday.
Key points:
The hotel has been a pub since 1855
It is the oldest surviving hotel in Brisbane city
Venue manager Phil Coles says he will miss the pub
The Victory Hotel on the corner of Edward and Charlotte streets in the CBD has long been a place for musicians, DJs and karaoke lovers to gather of an evening and enjoy a beverage in the beer garden.
Built in 1855, the pub was first known as the Prince of Wales before being renamed Victory — and then affectionately known as The Vic — and has been a Brisbane City Council local heritage site since 2009.
It is the oldest surviving hotel in Brisbane city and according to the council, “retains the principal characteristics of a 19th century hotel, including its prominent corner position”.
The site was fully leased until this year to Woolworths-backed Australian Hospitality and Liquor Group (AHL).
A spokeswoman for AHL said the group had made a “decision not to enter a new lease with the landlord”.
Owner Precision Group has been contacted for comment.
Brisbane’s Victory Hotel has been a pub since 1855.(Supplied: The Victory Hotel)
Venue manager Phil Coles posted to social media that the “rumours are true”, but later removed the post.
“The sad day has come after 21 years where we have to close the doors on a Brisbane icon,” he wrote.
“It’s been an honour to have been there on and off for 12 of those years and venue manager for the last five years.
Peter Wright remains winless in this year’s Premier League Darts. Will it be lift-off for the Scot in Glasgow? I The OVO Hydro, Glasgow hosts the third of 17 individual venues on Thursday, February 16 with the Play-Offs returning to The O2 in London on Thursday, May 25
Last Updated: 14/02/23 5:19pm
Peter Wright will be aiming to kick-start his Premier League Darts campaign on home soil in Glasgow on Thursday
Peter Wright will be bidding to ignite his Premier League Darts campaign against Dimitri Van den Bergh when he makes his homecoming at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on Thursday.
Despite his winless start to the campaign, Wright, who picked up his first televised title for more than a year at the Nordic Darts Masters last month, will hope to return to winning ways on home turf.
Live Premier League Darts
February 16, 2023, 7:00pm
Live on
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Wright broke Nathan Aspinall with this amazing 156 checkout in their quarter-final match in Cardiff last week
Wright broke Nathan Aspinall with this amazing 156 checkout in their quarter-final match in Cardiff last week
Wright takes on Van den Bergh in his quarter-final encounter before a potential showdown against Nathan Aspinall or Michael Van Gerwen.
“Wright has been a bit unlucky but he’s a good reader of the game and it’s early days, so I think he’ll be fairly relaxed about the whole situation and he’ll be expected to register some points in Glasgow,” said Sky Sports’ analyst Webster.
“He’ll get the crowd support but we know Gary Anderson is their boy so it won’t be the same level of support but they’ll get behind him.
“For Peter, it’s week three so don’t panic. He started brilliantly last year but then it unravelled so he knows the flipside. A good start guarantees nothing and a bad start guarantees nothing either, so he’ll be fairly relaxed.
“It’s early days in the Premier League and I don’t think the players panic yet – a couple more weeks possibly. He’ll be looking forward to going up there and that fact that it’s in Glasgow is a bonus for him.”
“We can judge all we want but it’s got him two world titles and world No 1 so there’s obviously some method to the madness. He’ll keep doing it.”
Mark Webster on Peter Wright changing his darts
‘Some method to the madness’
‘Snakebite’ takes on Dimitri Van den Bergh in his quarter-final clash
Webster says ‘Snakebite’ will “fancy his chances” against Van den Bergh, while the pace of the Belgian should be to his liking.
“I spoke to Peter and he feels that his set-up is good so he’ll be raring to go. He’ll chop and change his darts. The fat barrels darts with the wobbly points are his best set but he generally plays well with the slim-line barrel set,” revealed Webster.
“He’ll use them again on Thursday but he will always chop and change. It’s kind of worthless even thinking that he’ll stick with this set.
“We can judge all we want but it’s got him two world titles and world No 1 so there’s obviously some method to the madness. He’ll keep doing it.”
Night 3 in Glasgow: Thursday, February 16
Quarter-Finals
Nathan Aspinall vs Michael van Gerwen
Peter Wright vs Dimitri Van den Bergh
Gerwyn Price vs Michael Smith
Jonny Clayton vs Chris Dobey
Semi-Finals
Aspinall/Van Gerwen vs Wright/Van den Bergh
Price/Smith vs Clayton/Dobey
Concern for Clayton?
Jonny Clayton showed good form at the Players Championship over the weekend
Webster also spoke about his concern for Jonny Clayton in Cardiff last week, but ‘The Ferret’ showed some form by reaching the semi-finals of the Players Championship on Saturday in Barnsley.
“The rhythm, the scoring, the finishing was back when I saw him play at the weekend in Barnsley,” said Webster. “He was on point so I think that was good for Jonny.
“He needs some points soon and you don’t want to get to week three of four with no points at all. If he can get a victory over Dobey, it’s doable, but Dobey has taken the whole format in his stride.
“Jonny is going to have to work hard to get some points.”
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Watch the best of the action from Night Two in Cardiff after Gerwyn Price delighted the Welsh crowd on an epic night
Watch the best of the action from Night Two in Cardiff after Gerwyn Price delighted the Welsh crowd on an epic night
Can the Pro Tour and Euro Tour be a benefit or a hinderance?
Chris Dobey has the added distraction of having to play on the European Tour as well as the Pro Tour
“I don’t think Clayton, Dobey, Aspinall and Van den Bergh can afford having any time off. Neither can Price to be fair because it’s quick-fire. You finish in Glasgow and then get to your bed, then you’re on the road down to Barnsley and then Dobey has to play on the European Tour, which is an added distraction for him,” said Webster.
“It can be to your benefit as well because getting to a semi-final in Barnsley has probably helped his cause. You’ve got to manage it well, but if you’re going to be successful you’re going to be busy so you’ve just got to learn to manage it.”
2023 Premier League Schedule
Night 3
OVO Hydro, Glasgow
February 16
Night 4
3Arena, Dublin
February 23
Night 5
Westpoint Exeter
March 2
Night 6
The Brighton Centre
March 9
Night 7
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
March 16
Night 8
Utilita Arena, Newcastle
March 23
Night 9
Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin
March 30
Night 10
Utilita Arena, Birmingham
April 6
Night 11
M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
April 13
Night 12
Rotterdam Ahoy
April 20
Night 13
First Direct Arena, Leeds
April 27
Night 14
AO Arena, Manchester
May 4
Night 15
Utilita Arena, Sheffield
May 11
Night 16
P&J Live, Aberdeen
May 18
Play-Offs
The O2, London
May 25
We’re back for more Premier League Darts action from the OVO Hydro, Glasgow on Thursday, February 16 – live on Sky Sports Mix from 7pm.
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Follow the 2023 Betfred Super League season journey LIVE on Sky Sports.
Follow the 2023 Betfred Super League season journey LIVE on Sky Sports.
Our guide to the 12 teams competing in Super League in 2023 continues with a look at Hull KR, Leeds Rhinos, Leigh Leopards, and Salford Red Devils…
Hull KR:
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Highlights of Hull FC’s clash with Hull KR in the Super League.
Highlights of Hull FC’s clash with Hull KR in the Super League.
Head coach: Willie Peters
Captain: Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Last season: Eighth in regular season
What they’re saying:
“I am really enjoying my time, my family has settled in which is the main thing. We are really excited for the season kicking off and that is what we are here to do, we are here to play footy games and do well. Success for me would be world-class effort and competing every week.”
– New Hull KR head coach Willie Peters on his goals for the season ahead.
In: Sam Luckley (Salford Red Devils), Yusuf Aydin, James Batchelor (both Wakefield Trinity), Louis Senior (Huddersfield Giants), Tom Opacic (Parramatta Eels), Sauaso ‘Jesse’ Sue (Newcastle Knights), Rhys Kennedy (Brisbane Broncos).
Out: Albert Vete (Castleford Tigers), Bailey Dawson (Castleford Tigers), Ben Crooks (Keighley Cougars), Tom Wilkinson (Dewsbury Rams), Will Maher (Halifax Panthers), Adam Rusling, Nathan Cullen (both Cornwall), Brad Takairangi (Dapto Canaries), Korbin Sims (retired), Tom Garratt, Charlie Cavanaugh, Max Kirkbright.
Leeds Rhinos:
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The crowd welcomes Leeds Rhinos and St Helens out ahead of the Super League Grand Final.
The crowd welcomes Leeds Rhinos and St Helens out ahead of the Super League Grand Final.
Head coach: Rohan Smith
Captain: No captain named
Last season: Fifth in regular season, Grand Final runners-up
What they’re saying:
“In the final months of the season, Kruise Leeming, Cameron Smith, Mikolaj Oledzki and Ash Handley were each matchday captain at various times. We are in a fortunate position to have a young and talented squad with many players who possess some of the typical characteristics you would look for in a captain. We have experienced players in key positions within the team who show leadership every time they step onto the field. The challenge is to develop that leadership across the squad.”
– Leeds Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith on not naming a full-time captain.
In: Derrell Olpherts (Castleford Tigers), Luis Roberts, Nene Macdonald (both Leigh Leopards), James McDonnell (Wigan Warriors), Sam Lisone (Gold Coast Titans), Justin Sangare (Toulouse Olympique), Toby Warren (York), Luke Hooley (Batley Bulldogs), Leon Ruan (Doncaster).
Out: Liam Sutcliffe, Brad Dwyer (both Hull FC), Zak Hardaker, Tom Briscoe (both Leigh Leopards), Callum McLelland, Jack Broadbent (both Castleford Tigers), Jack Walker, Bodene Thompson (both Bradford Bulls), Matt Prior (retired).
Leigh Leopards:
Ricky Leutele is one of the Leopards’ most high profile signings ahead of 2023
Head coach: Adrian Lam
Captain: John Asiata
Last season: First place in the Championship, promoted
What they’re saying:
“We are really proud about what we have done in the last 12 months both on and off the field to get back and we have given something for our fans to look forward to and support on a week-to-week basis. We have got a lot of work to do, but we are really excited about it.”
– Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam on the expectations of the year ahead.
In: Oliver Holmes, Jack Hughes, Rob Mulhern, Matt Davis, Jacob Gannon (all Warrington Wolves), Zak Hardaker, Tom Briscoe (both Leeds Rhinos), Ricky Leutele (Huddersfield Giants), Gareth O’Brien (Castleford Tigers), Aaron Smith, Tom Nisbet (both St Helens), Ava Seumanufagai (Canterbury Bulldogs), Nathan Wilde (Newcastle Thunder).
Out: Luis Roberts, Nene Macdonald (both Leeds Rhinos), Adam Sidlow, Sam Stone (both Salford Red Devils), Mark Ioane (Keighley Cougars), Ata Hingano (York), Kieran Dixon (Widnes Vikings), Caleb Aekins (Featherstone Rovers), Jy Hitchcox (Rochdale Hornets), Krisnan Inu (retired).
Salford Red Devils
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Watch all of Man of Steel Brodie Croft’s tries for the Salford Red Devils in the Super League.
Watch all of Man of Steel Brodie Croft’s tries for the Salford Red Devils in the Super League.
Head coach: Paul Rowley
Captain: Kallum Watkins
Last season: Sixth in regular season
What they’re saying:
“This group of boys is something special and along with the coaching staff through to the performance staff and office staff, I’m excited at what the future holds for the club.”
– Brodie Croft on signing a deal with the club till 2030.
In: Oliver Partington (Wigan Warriors), Adam Sidlow, Sam Stone (both Leigh Leopards), Andrew Dixon (Toulouse Olympique), Ben Hellewell (Featherstone Rovers), Ellis Longstaff (Warrington Wolves, loan).
Out: Sam Luckley (Hull Kingston Rovers), Harvey Livett (Huddersfield Giants), Greg Burke, Jack Wells (both Barrow Raiders), Elijah Taylor (Featherstone Rovers), Sitaleki Akauola (Toulouse Olympique), Morgan Escare (Carcassonne).
The new Betfred Super League season starts on Thursday, February 16 as Warrington Wolves host Leeds Rhinos. Watch 66 live matches, including Magic Weekend, the play-offs and the Grand Final, on Sky Sports in 2023 and stream on NOW TV.
Hull Kingston Rovers head coach Willie Peters is preparing for his first season in the top job after serving a lengthy apprenticeship, which began with selling sponsorship for South Sydney Rabbitohs; watch the 2023 Betfred Super League season live on Sky Sports
Last Updated: 10/02/23 9:44am
Willie Peters has taken his first head coaching job at Hull Kingston Rovers
Willie Peters always had his sights on moving into coaching after his playing days were over, but it was two years in the equally unforgiving world of selling sponsorship which set him on the path to his first head coach role with Hull Kingston Rovers.
The Australian former scrum-half, whose career included spells on these shores with Gateshead Thunder, Wigan Warriors and Widnes Vikings, was forced to hang up his boots at the age of 26 due to injury.
Peters admits he found it difficult at the time, and rather than transition straight into coaching he was taken under the wing of then-South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson as part of the off-field staff and it proved an eye-opening experience which continues to serve him well.
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“I had a couple of years away just to find myself again because I hadn’t had anything behind me,” Peters told Sky Sports. “I went straight from school to playing first grade, so I had two years away and then took my time slowly.
“I went into sponsorship with the Rabbitohs. Shane Richardson, who got me to Gateshead, was the CEO and he offered me the role, which was awesome for me because I got to understand the other side of the business of rugby league.
“When you play, you think that’s it and that side is the most important, but you put all these pieces together and that’s what makes the club work and tick.
“I was responsible for bringing money into the club and there is a lot of purpose involved in that because if you don’t bring money in then potentially players don’t get paid and things like that. It was rewarding and no doubt it helped me get to where I wanted to get to in coaching.”
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Look back on some of the best moments from new Hull Kingston Rovers head coach Willie Peters’ playing days with Gateshead Thunder and Wigan Warriors
Look back on some of the best moments from new Hull Kingston Rovers head coach Willie Peters’ playing days with Gateshead Thunder and Wigan Warriors
When he did take his first steps into coaching, Peters worked his way through the ranks from the U16s, U18s and U20s, to assistant with Manly Sea Eagles in 2017 and then back at the Rabbitohs two years later, followed by Newcastle Knights in 2020.
He always held the ambition of returning to the UK to coach though, setting himself the aim of earning a head coach position in the competition as part of a 10-year plan after enjoying his time in Super League in the early part of his playing career.
Peters was barely 20 when he joined Gateshead for their one and only season in the competition in 1999, learning from more experienced compatriots like skipper and former Queensland State of Origin hooker Kerrod Walters and ex-NRL prop Daniel Lee.
“It was a really great experience,” Peters, who moved to Wigan and featured in their 2000 Grand Final defeat to St Helens after Thunder merged with Hull Sharks, said.
I want to be part of a club which is ambitious because we’re in the Super League. This is full-time, you want to win trophies, and that’s what you’re here to do.
New Hull KR head coach Willie Peters
“They had a lot of Australian players at the time, so I got a lot of learnings from them and looked up to a lot of the guys I played with.
“They were at the back end of their career, and I was starting out my journey, but I really enjoyed that year and then I was fortunate enough to go to Wigan the year after.
“That was one of the best years of my life; it’s a special club and we got pipped at the post against St Helens, but it was a special time.”
Peters’ coaching career has seen him learn from some of the best in Australia too, from tapping into Wayne Bennett’s deep understanding of rugby league, to admiring Anthony Seibold’s process-driven approach and Adam O’Brien’s dedication to rigorous professional standards.
Willie Peters has worked closely with some of Australia’s best coaches prior to joining Hull Kingston Rovers
Now the man in the top job, Peters arrived in East Hull to take up his new job with Rovers last September, allowing his family plenty of time to get settled before getting down to work on the training field with the squad ahead of the 2023 Betfred Super League campaign.
Hull KR and Peters begin the year at home to his former club Wigan on Saturday, February 18 (kick-off 1pm), but more than anything the 43-year-old is relishing working for an ambitious club in a rugby league hotbed where a fierce cross-city rivalry exists with an equally ambitious neighbour in Hull FC – just like back home in Sydney.
“I’m from the Rabbitohs and they love their rugby league as well and like with the [Sydney] Roosters and the Rabbitohs it’s the same thing here,” Peters said. “I love it and love that we are in a city which loves its rugby league.
“I want to be part of a club which is ambitious because we’re in the Super League. This is full-time, you want to win trophies, and that’s what you’re here to do.
“I’m not going to make any massive statements saying that’s what we’re going to do this year, but are we striving to? Absolutely – and are we striving to play in the big games? Yes, we are.”
The new Super League season starts on Thursday, February 16 as Warrington Wolves host Leeds Rhinos. Watch 66 live matches, including Magic Weekend, the play-offs and the Grand Final, on Sky Sports in 2023 and stream on NOW TV.
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Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag praises Marcus Rashford’s form and his impact on the team. Watch the full interview on Soccer Saturday from 12pm.
Microsoft is in talks to buy Activision Blizzard, in a deal reportedly worth over £55bn; Activision produces popular titles including Call of Duty; the game developer is also one of the largest in the esports market.
By Amar Mehta
Last Updated: 08/02/23 11:28pm
Call of Duty is Activision’s marquee title
Microsoft’s attempt to buy Activision Blizzard has hit a snag after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the $68.7bn (£56.7bn) deal could impact UK gamers.
The UK competition regulator published its provisional findings after a five-month investigation into the deal and said the merger could result in higher prices, fewer choices or less innovation for gamers.
The CMA said it could make Microsoft stronger and stifle competition, harming the rivalry between its hallmark console, the Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation.
Activision produces a number of video games, including Call of Duty, and opponents to the merger raised concerns from rivals, claiming it could see their access to the popular franchise restricted – something Microsoft has denied.
The CMA said it found that buying one of the world’s most well-known and biggest game publishers would reinforce Microsoft’s position in the market and subsequently reduce the competition that Microsoft would otherwise face.
The video game developer also makes popular esports games and is one of the biggest names in the market.
The California-headquartered company boasts the Skylanders, Crash Bandicoot and Tony Hawk games as its titles.
Microsoft committed to ‘100 per cent equal access’
The competition watchdog said it has written to the parties involved with a notice of possible remedies for addressing its provisional concerns, and has asked for a response by February 22, ahead of the publication of the CMA’s full report on April 26.
Martin Coleman, chair of the independent panel of experts conducting the investigation into the deal, said: “It’s been estimated that there are around 45m gamers in the UK, and people in the UK spend more on gaming than any other form of entertainment including music, movies, TV and books.
“Strong competition between Xbox and PlayStation has defined the console gaming market over the last 20 years. Exciting new developments in cloud gaming are giving gamers even more choice.”
In response, Microsoft’s corporate vice president and deputy general counsel, Rima Alaily, said: “We are committed to offering effective and easily enforceable solutions that address the CMA’s concerns.
“Our commitment to grant long-term 100 per cent equal access to Call Of Duty to Sony, Nintendo, Steam and others preserves the deal’s benefits to gamers and developers and increases competition in the market.
“Seventy-five per cent of respondents to the CMA’s public consultation agree that this deal is good for competition in UK gaming.”
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Former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall dropped into the Kansas City Chiefs’ media availability to play a hilarious prank on quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The 27-year-old was not impressed!
Mark Cavendish and his wife Peta were victims of a knifepoint robbery at their home in November 2021
Two men have been jailed for robbing Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish and his wife Peta of their high-value watches in a knifepoint raid at their home.
Intruders wearing balaclavas broke into their home in Ongar, Essex at about 2.30am on November 27, 2021 and threatened to stab the athlete, a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court heard.
They took items including two Richard Mille watches with a combined value of £700,000.
Romario Henry, 31, of Bell Green, Lewisham, south-east London, denied two counts of robbery but was found guilty following a trial and sentenced on Tuesday to 15 years in prison.
Ali Sesay, 28, of Holding Street, Rainham, Kent, admitted two counts of robbery and was jailed for 12 years.
“This was serious organised crime,” Judge David Turner KC told the defendants as he sentenced them. “This was no run-of-the-mill domestic burglary by opportunist amateurs.
“This was planned, targeted, orchestrated, ruthless offending aimed at an internationally known sportsman and his wife who happened to be brand ambassadors for exceptionally valuable Richard Mille watches.”
The trial was told that Sesay’s DNA was found on Mrs Cavendish’s phone, which was taken and found outside the property.
The charges were that the accused men robbed Cavendish of a watch, phone and safe, and robbed his wife of a watch, phone and suitcase.
Mrs Cavendish, who like her husband was naked during the robbery, had told jurors she had heard a noise that woke her in the night and went downstairs to investigate.
She said she could see “men’s figures in balaclavas, and they were running towards the bottom of the stairs”, and that she believed there were “between three and five” people.
Court artist sketch of Peta Cavendish giving evidence, watched by Judge David Turner, at Chelmsford Crown Court
She told the court she ran back to the bedroom shouting “get back” or “get in” to her husband, who was unable to activate a panic alarm.
Mrs Cavendish said one of the intruders “dragged” Cavendish “from his feet and started punching him”.
One had her husband in a headlock, she said, adding: “One of them held a large black knife to his throat and they said ‘where’s the watches?’ and ‘do you want me to stab you?”‘. She agreed with a suggestion that it was a Rambo-style knife.
Mrs Cavendish said that at the time her husband had been “out of hospital for four days, maybe” after a cycling crash which left him with three broken ribs and a tear to his left lung.
She said that when she went downstairs after the intruders had left, she saw that a patio door was smashed, and Cavendish cut his feet on the broken glass.
Edward Renvoize, prosecuting, said Henry had a previous conviction for supplying drugs in 2012, and for perverting the course of justice in 2013 by “assisting in burning out a vehicle that had been used in a murder as part of a gang enterprise”.
Archangelo Power, for Henry, said the defendant’s brother had been murdered three and a half months before the robbery and that had a “significant bearing on the psychological make-up of the defendant”. Mr Power said Henry had been “on the verge of committing suicide”.
Mark Cavendish and his wife had high-value watches stolen in the robbery
Mr Renvoize said that Sesay had admitted at an earlier hearing to six unrelated firearms offences over the possession of two guns and ammunition, when he had been prohibited by a previous sentence from possessing such items.
The prosecutor said Sesay was arrested at an address in Thornton Heath, south London, on December 16 2021 and officers “had to use a chainsaw to gain access” and saw items, later found to be firearms, being thrown from a window to a neighbouring garden.
The judge jailed Sesay for eight years for the firearms offences, consecutive to the 12-year prison sentence for the robbery, making a total of 20 years. The judge said Sesay had previous convictions including for supply of cocaine and heroin in 2017.
Graeme Molloy, for Sesay, said the defendant was “truly sorry for his role” in the robbery and had admitted his involvement.
Speaking about the firearms offences, Mr Molloy said Sesay claimed the guns were not his but that he had thrown them from the window. Mr Molloy said the guns “were loaded but the cartridge wasn’t in the firing chamber”.
Jurors were told that two other men, Jo Jobson, from Plaistow, east London, and George Goddard, from Loughton in Essex, have been named as suspects in the robbery but have not been apprehended. Jobson was 25 and Goddard 26 at the time of a police appeal last March.
Oludewa Okorosobo, 28, of Flaxman Road, Camberwell, south London, denied two counts of robbery and was cleared by jurors after a trial.
Chris Dobey enjoys a dream Premier League debut by defeating Michael van Gerwen in the Belfast final I The Cardiff International Arena hosts the second of 17 individual venues on Thursday, February 9 with the play-offs returning to The O2 in London on Thursday, May 25
Last Updated: 03/02/23 12:56am
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Take a look at the best of the action from Night One of the Premier League in Belfast
Take a look at the best of the action from Night One of the Premier League in Belfast
Chris Dobey made a dream Premier League debut as he stunned six-time defending champion Michael van Gerwen to win the opening night of action in Belfast.
Dobey claimed his first major PDC title by winning the Masters in Milton Keynes which helped him gatecrash the cast list for this year’s Premier League.
The 32-year-old from Bedlington produced a Hollywood-style ending after defeating two-time former world champion Peter Wright in the quarter-finals and then sending Nathan Aspinall crashing out to reach the final where he upset favourite Van Gerwen.
Premier League – Night 1 in Belfast Results
Quarter-finals
Dimitri Van den Bergh
6-2
Jonny Clayton
Michael Smith
3-6
Michael van Gerwen
Peter Wright
3-6
Chris Dobey
Nathan Aspinall
6-4
Gerwyn Price
Semi-finals
Dimitri Van den Bergh
4-6
Michael van Gerwen
Chris Dobey
6-4
Nathan Aspinall
Final
Chris Dobey
6-5
Michael van Gerwen
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Dobey took out this majestic 170 finish against Van Gerwen in the final
Dobey took out this majestic 170 finish against Van Gerwen in the final
A captivating final, which saw Dobey reel in a 170 checkout in the second leg, went all the way to a deciding leg with Dobey landing a sensational 160 checkout to cap a memorable week.
“I’m living the dream,” said a delighted Dobey, who twice starred as a Challenger in the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Premier League.
“The 160 checkout had to go because Michael was waiting on 127 and he’s well capable of taking that out.
“Michael has got a great record against me, and it gets in your head, but I knew I could do it after beating him on TV for the first time at the European Championship.
“I know what I can do, and right now my confidence is sky high.
“I felt that I deserved my place in the tournament, I didn’t have anything to prove to myself but I think I’ve proved a few people wrong tonight.
“I’m getting a taste of it now and I love it. I want to be here all the time.”
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Dobey produced a Hollywood ending in the deciding leg to win Night One
Dobey produced a Hollywood ending in the deciding leg to win Night One
Van Gerwen picked up three league points after gaining sweet revenge over Michael Smith in their first meeting since the World Championship final, and Dimitri Van den Bergh to go second on the embryonic table.
Losing semi-finalists Aspinall and Van den Bergh left Belfast with two points each thanks to quarter-final wins over Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton respectively.
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The Bedlington thrower says he took confidence from his Masters win to claim victory on his Premier League debut
The Bedlington thrower says he took confidence from his Masters win to claim victory on his Premier League debut
Sunday – Crowned Masters Champion
Monday – Announced in the 2023 Premier League
Thursday – Wins in Belfast on full debut
“You’ve either got it or you haven’t in terms of that ability. He’s knows he’s got the ability so that panic hasn’t set it. That Masters win is the catalyst for we don’t know, but it’s the catalyst for tonight. That was an amazing win. He didn’t look nervy on the 160 but he’s creating that for himself. I love seeing new winners. Dobey has been a great player for a long time. Good luck to him. He wasn’t nervous, which is mind-boggling, but crack on Chris.”
Wayne Mardle on Chris Dobey
Where are we heading next?
Night 2 in Cardiff: Thursday, February 9
Quarter-Finals
Michael Smith vs Jonny Clayton
Nathan Aspinall vs Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price vs Chris Dobey
Michael van Gerwen vs Dimitri Van den Bergh
The Premier League roadshow heads to Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on Thursday, February 9 for Night Two of the league phase, as Welsh duo Price and Clayton face Dobey and Smith respectively in the quarter-finals.
The night’s other quarter-finals will see Aspinall face Wright, while Van Gerwen takes on Van den Bergh.
2023 Premier League Schedule
Night 2
Cardiff International Arena
February 9
Night 3
OVO Hydro, Glasgow
February 16
Night 4
3Arena, Dublin
February 23
Night 5
Westpoint Exeter
March 2
Night 6
The Brighton Centre
March 9
Night 7
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
March 16
Night 8
Utilita Arena, Newcastle
March 23
Night 9
Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin
March 30
Night 10
Utilita Arena, Birmingham
April 6
Night 11
M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
April 13
Night 12
Rotterdam Ahoy
April 20
Night 13
First Direct Arena, Leeds
April 27
Night 14
AO Arena, Manchester
May 4
Night 15
Utilita Arena, Sheffield
May 11
Night 16
P&J Live, Aberdeen
May 18
Play-Offs
The O2, London
May 25
We’re back for more Premier League Darts action from the Cardiff International Arena on Thursday, February 9 – live on Sky Sports Arena from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 7.30pm.
