Tag: Hayley

Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland went toe-to-toe on the 12th at the Memorial Tournament as both his brilliant birdies one after another.

Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell hit each other during Q2 at the Spanish Grand Prix.

There was an incredible atmosphere and fan display as champions Celtic made their way out onto the pitch for their final home game of the season against Aberdeen.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland answers quick fire questions such as who is his best friend in football, what he’d be if he wasn’t a footballer, his go-to karaoke song, and who is the best player he’s ever played with.

Michael van Gerwen creates Premier League history by winning his seventh title
to move clear of the great Phil Taylor; Sky Sports is back for the World Cup of Darts at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle from June 15-18 as Australia defend the title

Michael van Gerwen won the Premier League title for a record-breaking seventh time after defeating Gerwyn Price 11-5 in the final at the O2 in London on Thursday night.

The Dutchman, who joined Taylor on six wins 12 months ago, overtook him after a masterful performance to beat Welshman Price with a blistering display of arrows.

Van Gerwen, whose participation was in doubt after withdrawing from last week’s final weekly round in Aberdeen with a shoulder injury, has dominated this competition since winning his first title 10 years ago.

No one loves the O2 stage quite like him and after edging a thrilling semi-final against rival Michael Smith, where he won 10-8, he got the better of Price in the final, finishing with a 105.4 average.

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Van Gerwen and Price trade blows with an incredible run of checkouts in the Premier League final

There was nothing to separate the darting duo of Price and Van Gerwen in the first five legs before the Dutch ace broke throw with a jaw-dropping 139-170 to open up a 4-2 advantage.

He underlined his incredible scoring power by holding in the next and then breaking again with an astonishing 128 finish on double 10 to move 6-2 ahead, averaging 108 in the process.

Price responded with a fabulous 161 bullseye finish to reduce the arrears, but Van Gerwen knew he was just four legs away from the title at the interval.

However, four missed darts from the Dutchman allowed ‘The Iceman’ in for double 12 to trail 7-4, but MVG hit straight back with an 11-darter before sinking double 2 to edge ever closer to glory.

An exhibition 150 on double 18 moved Van Gerwen one away at 10-5 and it was all over in the next leg as he hit double 9 to retain his crown.

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MVG believes this is the start of a ‘beautiful year’ and that he is hungrier than ever

“I have been working really hard lately. Obviously, I had problems last week, we all know Gerwyn Price is in fantastic form, Michael Smith won the last three weeks,” said the 34-year-old.

“I get questions all the time about when I am going to do it again so I put the pressure on myself. I keep doing that but today it motivated me and I think that is probably what made me win.

“I think today I played some fantastic darts. What more can you wish for than to win this trophy?

“You always have to pick the right moments but to come back here in the O2 and play like guys like Michael Smith, Gerwyn Price in the final, you have to play your A-game.

“I had to do something special today and I was really glad I was able to do it. I worked hard for this.”

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Watch the moment MVG secured his seventh Premier League title…

Price is still searching for his first title and a brilliant campaign, where he won four of the weekly rounds, ends in ultimate disappointment.

He was crestfallen after the loss, saying: “I just couldn’t find the trebles, the doubles, I couldn’t find anything, that’s how it goes sometimes.

“I’m gutted. I just felt this one is the one that got away, I was missing by so far, I wasn’t even close, I don’t know what happened.”

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Price took a quick break in the middle of the final against Van Gerwen to ‘repair’ his darts

MVG gets revenge for world championship defeat

Van Gerwen defied a late rally from Smith to progress to a record-breaking ninth Premier League final

Van Gerwen defeated Smith 10-8 in a repeat of January’s historic world championship final in the semi-finals.

It was the St Helens star who made the better start by pinning a huge 128 finish for an early break of throw.

MVG then broke in 12 darts to snatch the lead from the world No 1 before reeling off four legs on the spin for a 5-2 lead.

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Smith’s incredible 91 finish had the O2 on the edge of their seats. The delayed reaction was even better!

The Dutchman continued to throw some staggering darts, moving 7-3 up at the break and averaging 108.29.

Smith responded with a 114 checkout after the restart to reduce the deficit to three legs and a crucial 86 checkout saw ‘Bully Boy’ peg it back to 8-6.

Van Gerwen then squandered five darts at doubles, letting Smith in for a roof-raising 91 on the bullseye to trail 8-7, but MVG quickly regained his compose to move one leg away from victory.

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Smith’s impressive resurgence continued with this jaw-dropping 123 checkout

Smith saved the match thanks to a skin-saving 123 on the bull after ‘Mighty Mike’ failed with two match darts, but it was over in the next leg with Van Gerwen nailing double 10 to make it through to his ninth Premier League final.

Price wins all-Welsh showdown

Price proved too good for fellow Welshman Clayton in their semi-final clash

The first semi-final was an all-Welsh affair and it was Price who came out on top against Jonny Clayton with a storming 10-2 victory.

Price got off to a blistering start to take the first five legs without reply, Clayton averaging less than 86.

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Price nailed a superb 131 checkout to defeat Clayton

Despite ‘The Ferret’ stopping the rot, Price’s consistency on the trebles continued, taking out a 12-darter in the seventh leg.

From there it was easy for ‘The Iceman’ and despite Clayton making it 8-2, he completed the win thanks to a fabulous 131 on tops.

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The Iceman was left speechless after defeating World Cup team-mate Clayton

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Take a look at the best of the action from Finals Night of the Premier League in London where MVG was simply the best!

What’s next on Sky Sports?

Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta will be defending their World Cup of Darts title

The annual World Cup of Darts will expand to 40 teams from the previous 32 in a revamped format which will feature a group stage and doubles matches throughout four days of action at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle from June 15-18 as Australia defend the title.

In a radical change to previous years, the tournament will see Iceland, Ukraine and Bahrain set to make their debuts.

Catch all the action from the World Cup of Darts from June 15-18 – live on Sky Sports.

Watch the best angles of Julio Enciso’s wonder goal for Brighton against Manchester City in their 1-1 draw in the Premier League.

Cristiano Ronaldo kept Al Nassr’s slim Saudi Pro League title hopes alive with a sublime strike to complete their comeback against Al Shabab after being 2-0 down.

Jimmy Butler taunted Al Horford by calling a timeout for the Celtics, as the Boston center did the same thing in Game 1 against the Heat.

Laura Turner upsets Beau Greaves at the PDC Women’s Series which sees four different winners as the race to reach the Women’s World Matchplay hots up; The Premier League Play-Offs return to The O2 in London on Thursday, May 25 – live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm

Laura Turner upset Beau Greaves and reached the Event Seven final at the PDC Women’s Series in Milton Keynes

Sky Sports’ Laura Turner upset Beau Greaves after another dramatic weekend of action at the PDC Women’s Series with the race to reach Blackpool heating up nicely.

Greaves dominated the opening weekend of the 2023 Women’s Series in February, claiming a hat-trick of titles at Leicester’s Morningside Arena, before Japanese sensation Mikuru Suzuki ended her remarkable 70-match winning run with Event Three success.

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Speaking on Love The Darts, Beau Greaves spoke about her experience at the World Championship and how she would do things differently next time

Teenage sensation ‘Beau ‘n’ Arrow’ came through a 118-player field to claim the £2,000 top prize in Event Five, while Welsh star Rhian O’Sullivan underlined her credentials to claim a maiden Women’s Series crown against Greaves in Event Six.

Ireland’s Robyn Byrne won her first title with success in Event Seven, defeating Turner 5-1 in the final before Suzuki swept to victory in Event Eight.

Turner recorded arguably the biggest scalp of her career to date as the Surrey thrower stunned Greaves 5-4 in the quarter-finals of Event Seven en route to the final.

“To beat Beau, who is the in-form player, I was really pleased,” she said. “I just ran out of steam in the end against Robyn, but she played really well all weekend. I would have taken that beforehand.

“We know the averages that Beau can put in although she didn’t quite find that top gear against me, but from my point of view it was all about holding my nerve. She missed three darts at double in the deciding leg. She gave me a chance and I was just pleased to have taken it.”

Greaves saw her remarkable 70-match winning streak come to an end at the Women’s Series

Turner believes the latest Women’s Series showcased the strength in depth on the tour, while the race to reach the Women’s Matchplay is still very much up for grabs.

“Beau has dominated the series since she joined the tour last year, but even before that it was always Lisa (Ashton) and Fallon (Sherrock) winning, so I think it’s great just to see the depth coming through,” Turner said. “Having four different winners and four quality winners, I think it’s testament because we are pushing and trying to compete.

“There really isn’t any easy games because you know that it’s such an open draw there can be some brutal matches. There is no switch-off time. You have to hit the ground running.”

The Women’s Series returns on June 24-25 for a further four events, which will take place at Halle 39 in Hildesheim, with the top eight players on the rolling Women’s Series Order of Merit after Event 12 qualifying for the Women’s World Matchplay, which takes place on Sunday, July 23 at the Winter Gardens.

On the race to Blackpool, Turner said: “It’s still very open so it’s going to be an interesting one and it will go down to the wire.

“The weekend in Hildesheim is going to be big depending on who travels but I’m hoping to see quite a high number of entries heading over to Germany. It’s all down to performance on the day and the draw.”

“When the series has been dominated by the same players, you know you have to improve and you have to take those opportunities as and when they present themselves. We’re also getting used to playing in that environment. It’s competitive and exciting.

“I will be practising because I want to give myself an opportunity to do well. I want to progress and I want to make the Matchplay but I also want to perform and play well so there’s something I can keep taking forward.”

Mikuru Suzuki, who averaged over 94 in three of her six games in Event Eight, sits in second place on the Women’s Series Order of Merit

Turner, who works as a recruitment coordinator for her day job, also moonlights as a darts analyst for Sky Sports as well as playing regular events for her local team and on the Women’s Series, which makes for a hectic lifestyle.

Giving a run-down of her routine, Turner said: “I worked the day and then travelled up to Sheffield for Thursday night’s Premier League then left at 5 o’clock in the morning to get back for work and then I was up at the crack of dawn to head to Milton Keynes for the Women’s Series, so it can be tough but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

“I love the commentary side. I love playing the darts and appreciate everything that’s being put out there for us on the Women’s Series. By the time I got to the fourth event, I was pretty tired.”

The top two players from the final PDC Women’s Series Order of Merit will qualify to compete in the 2023/24 World Darts Championship, alongside the winner of the 2023 Women’s World Matchplay.

We’re back for more Premier League Darts action from London’s O2 for the Play-Offs on Thursday, May 25 – live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm.

During the first round of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, Tom Kim fell in a muddy ditch trying to retrieve his golf ball…much to the enjoyment of the Sky Sports commentary team.

Rob Dorsett discusses the latest with Ivan Toney’s eight-month suspension, as the FA are set to apply to FIFA to make the ban worldwide.

As Manchester City get ever closer to winning the treble, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville pick their combined teams from Manchester United’s legendary 1999 side and City’s 2023 squad.

Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi celebrated like Jose Mourinho during his side’s stunning 3-0 victory over Arsenal at The Emirates.

Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson produces a stunning save to deny Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom the opening goal.

Michael Smith storms to a third consecutive nightly win with a 6-3 success against Gerwyn Price in Sheffield; P&J Live, Aberdeen will be the 16th of 17 individual venues on Thursday May 11 with the Play-Offs returning to The O2 in London on Thursday May 25

Michael Smith secured a hat-trick of Premier League Darts nightly wins by defeating Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price en route to more stunning success in Sheffield.

Price could have guaranteed top spot with victory in the Night 15 showpiece, but the St Helens star cut the Welshman’s lead at the summit to just three points after claiming the spoils in the Steel City.

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Smith ended Michael van Gerwen’s hopes in Sheffield with this sensational 130 checkout on the bullseye

Smith began his campaign with a 6-4 win over reigning champion Van Gerwen, converting a stunning 130 checkout on the bull to defeat the Dutchman for a second week in succession.

The world No 1 continued his charge to defeat Clayton in a repeat of last week’s decider, averaging almost 108 and sealing the deal with a superb 11-darter.

Smith then capped off a terrific night of action by claiming the £10,000 winner’s bonus, extending his winning Premier League run to nine matches in the process.

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Van Gerwen produced this brilliant 154 checkout against Smith

“Three in a row, it took me 15 weeks to win one night last year and now I’ve won four,” reflected Smith, who has leapfrogged Van Gerwen into second spot after his fourth nightly win overall. “I am still in with a chance of finishing top.

“Me and Gez spoke about it backstage before the match, if it’s me and him in the final next week he finishes top. Hopefully I can be top.

“I know you get nothing out of finishing top but it is the prestige. I have qualified last week and I could have just laid down and let anyone beat me. But I still need to go to The O2 playing well and winning.”

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Smith says he spoke to Gerwyn Price after their match and reminded the Welshman he can still finish in top spot

Price – who was victorious in Sheffield 12 months ago – retained top spot after storming through to his eighth nightly final of 2023 with 6-2 wins over Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey.

In the evening’s other quarter-finals, Clayton moved two points clear of Aspinall ahead of their decisive Night 16 showdown, courtesy of a battling 6-4 victory against Dimitri Van den Bergh.

The 2021 champion conjured up a spectacular 170 checkout midway through the tie, and registered his sixth ton-plus average of the campaign to see off the Belgian.

‘The Ferret’ is in a straight shootout with Aspinall for the final spot, with the pair going head-to-head in the quarter-final next week in Aberdeen.

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Jonny Clayton took out this brilliant 170 during his victory against Dimitri Van den Bergh

Victory will assure the Welshman another appearance at The O2 while even if Aspinall wins the quarter-final he also has to win his semi-final.

“It’s massive,” Clayton said. “All the pressure is on Nathan next week. He has to win, the ball is in my court because if I win I am through. I am going to try and relax and play my game.

“I was shaking like hell up there. It’s two points that are going to be massive.”

Meanwhile, Dobey cemented sixth spot in the table with an impressive 6-4 success against Peter Wright, crashing in six 180s and reeling off four straight legs from 4-2 down to advance.

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Peter Wright found this 126 checkout after Chris Dobey just missed out on a spectacular 170 finish

Where are we heading next?

The Premier League roadshow heads to P&J Live, Aberdeen on Thursday May 18 for Night 16 of the league phase.

League leader Price meets Wright in his quarter-final tie, knowing that a run to next Thursday’s final will see him top the table for the first time in his Premier League career.

Clayton and Aspinall meet in a huge encounter with fourth spot on the line.

Clayton would confirm his Play-Off qualification with victory, while Aspinall must progress to the Night 16 final to overhaul his Welsh rival, who will qualify via nights won if the pair finish level on points.

Smith will begin his bid for an unprecedented fourth straight nightly win against Van den Bergh, while Van Gerwen and Dobey also collide for a place in the semi-finals.

We’re back for more Premier League Darts action from the P&J Live, Aberdeen on Thursday May 18 – live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm.