Jonny Clayton has admitted that he was relieved to finally beat Gerwyn Price, and didn’t expect to hammer Luke Littler, after winning Premier League night three in Glasgow on Thursday evening.
The 51-year-old secured his first triumph in the event, with Gian van Veen overcome 6-3 in the final.
He also thumped Littler, the world No 1, 6-1 on his way to glory in Scotland.
The Welshman was in outstanding form throughout the night, with a stunning 156 checkout seeing him soar to the top of the standings with nine points to his name.
Speaking after his victory over Van Veen, Clayton expressed his delight.
His win over Price ended a run of 10 matches without a victory over the former rugby player, with the 51-year-old admitting that he was ‘nervous’ prior to their showdown.
“Yeah, it’s a great honour to win one of these nights against these players,” he said.
Jonny Clayton was in fine form on Thursday night as he triumphed in Glasgow
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“The first job was trying to get Gerwyn out…that little thing of losing to him 10 times. That was a big relief really because I’ve had a few chances against him before, but not taken them.
“It was nice to get that monkey off my back. It really was.
“You think, how do I beat him? I need to take my chances, what do I do to do this?
Five facts darts fans might not know | PA/GBNEWS“So tonight it worked for me, I was quite solid against him and it was just my night and I am chuffed to bits with that. So tonight I took my chances and it just got better.”
Clayton also opened up on Littler, expressing his shock after blitzing the ‘best darts player on the planet’.
Furthermore, he also suggested that the 19-year-old wasn’t at the peak of his powers, which meant he was able to capitalise.
“I didn’t expect to beat the best darts player on the planet 6-1 and then to beat Gian in the end, you know, it’s my night. It’s my night, and that’s all that counts,” he stated.
“I was nervous in that first game against Gerwyn, Luke didn’t play to his best but I took my chances and that is the game of darts.
Jonny Clayton is three points clear of Gian van Veen following his Premier League victory
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“You need a bit of luck. Obviously you need to play well but if he doesn’t hit and I do, then the ball’s in my court and that’s what happened tonight.
“It put a smile on my face.”
Clayton is now one point clear of Michael van Gerwen, who had to withdraw from the night’s action due to illness, and three ahead of Van Veen.
Price sits in fourth, ahead of Luke Humphries, Littler, Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock.