Premier League Darts: Jonny Clayton beats Michael Smith 6-4 in final of thrilling night nine in Berlin

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The best of the action from Night Nine of the Premier League in Berlin.

Jonny Clayton secured a first night victory of the Cazoo Premier League season and bolstered his hopes of qualifying for the play-offs after defeating world champion Michael Smith in the final of night nine in Berlin.

Clayton came through a final-leg decider to knock out league leader Michael van Gerwen and claimed an impressive 6-4 victory over compatriot Gerwyn Price, ending the Ice Man's hopes a third consecutive night win, then prevailed 6-4 in a tight tussle against Smith.

Smith opened with a 13-dart hold but wasted two break darts in the next to allow Clayton to level the contest, with the Welshman then breaking with a 86 checkout and adding a 80 finish to race into a 3-1 lead.

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Clayton squandered two chance to claim a fourth straight leg in the fifth, then found himself behind when Smith followed a stunning 130 checkout on the bullseye and 12-dart break by holding throw in the next.

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Michael Smith finds 130 on the bullseye to levels things up in his Premier League final clash with Jonny Clayton in Berlin

Smith was punished for more missed doubles as Clayton levelled the match on tops and then edged back ahead with a 85 checkout, then signed off victory in style with a brilliant 120 finish in the 10th leg.

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"Quite an easy run, wasn't it?!" Clayton told Sky Sports. "Maybe I rode my luck a few times but I done it in the end and that's all that counts.

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Jonny Clayton defeated Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith in one night, en route to Premier League success in Berlin.

"It's that winning double and winning that night, so thank god I've got a win. I'm used to walking off after the first game and not coming back, so it's a nice feeling to get back on this stage."

"I'm so chuffed, it's unbelievable! I've got a smile on my face and a win under my belt."

Victory sees Clayton jump to fifth in the season-long standings on 12 points and within three of Nathan Aspinall - who was beaten by Smith in the semi-finals - in fourth, while Price closed the gap on Van Gerwen after his semi-final finish.

Smith despatched Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-3 in the quarter-finals and came agonisingly close to a nine-dart leg on his way to a 6-4 victory over Aspinall, then fell short in his bid for a second night win of the season.

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Michael Smith was so close to getting another nine-darter in his semi-final match with Nathan Aspinall

Van Gerwen remains on 25 points after failing to win on nigh nine, with Price now within five points of the six-time Premier League winner after he rattled off five straight legs to claim a 6-3 win over Peter Wright - who remains bottom of the table - in the quarter-finals.

Where are we heading next?

The Premier League roadshow heads to the Utilita Arena, Birmingham on Thursday, April 6 for night ten of the league season.

Smith and Wright lock horns in a repeat of the 2022 world championship final.

Elsewhere, Price takes on Van den Bergh, Dobey and six-time winner Van Gerwen collide, while Clayton and Aspinall also lock horns.

We are back for more Premier League Darts action from the Utilita Arena, Birmingham on Thursday, April 6 - live on Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm.