Premier League Darts results: MVG beats Michael Smith as Gerwyn Price claims maiden win

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MVG wins Smith rematch

Michael van Gerwen won his World Championship final rematch with Michael Smith 7-5 as he got his Premier League Darts campaign off to a winning start.

The world number one, who lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy for the third time on New Year's Day before winning a fifth successive Masters on Sunday, averaged 105, hit five 180s and pinned seven of his 12 attempts at doubles in a sparkling display.

However, although Smith averaged 10 points lower with 95 and hit three fewer maximums, he still managed to hang in there for much of the match and hit the highest checkout of the match with a 150.

Bully Boy's finish of 93 in the opening leg broke the MVG throw but the world number one quickly wiped that lead out with a 12-darter while another break in the sixth saw him go 4-2 up.

Smith broke back to stay alive before his show-stopping 150 levelled matters but at 5-5 MVG took out 56 under pressure, with his opponent waiting on 62, before sprinting away with an 11-darter in the final leg of the match.

"I was really glad I managed to win that last leg because I wouldn't have been happy with a draw," said Van Gerwen. "We played some phenomenal legs and some not so good legs, so I have things to work on to improve over the next few weeks.

"Even without Gary Anderson this is going to be a very tough season and to beat a great player in Michael in my first game is the best way to start."

Price defies the boos

Gerwyn Price claimed his first ever Premier League Darts victory at the 10th attempt with an impressive 7-4 victory over Daryl Gurney in Newcastle.

The Iceman only managed two draws during his awful debut campaign, which resulted in relegation at Judgement Night, but got his second season up and running thanks to a fine average of 104.

Price admitted to us on Wednesday that he felt like he has to play his 'B Game' in the wake of the huge fine and suspended sentence handed to him by the Darts Regulation Authority for his conduct during last November's Grand Slam of Darts final against Gary Anderson - but this performance showed the fire had returned, albeit above board.

Despite getting off to a slow start and trailing 2-0, the Welshman roared back with five legs on the bounce before a 72 checkout when leading 5-3 guaranteed him a point.

Players Championship Finals winner Gurney kept his faint hopes alive by taking the next when Price seemed to be stuttering near the finish line but he got the job done in the next, and even allowed himself a trademark celebration.

The Iceman hit six 180s compared to Gurney's zero while he hit seven of his 16 darts at doubles as his opponent missed seven of his.

"Last year was a daunting experience for me, so this year I needed to get off to a good start," said Price. "To play the way I did today, with the crowd on my back and everything that's gone on I'm proud of myself and I hope this can be the start of a good campaign for me."

Barney's losing start to farewell tour

Raymond van Barneveld's chance of a triumphant Premier League farewell suffered an early blow when losing his opening match 7-4 to James Wade.

The first six legs went with throw before the Dutch legend claimed the first break with a 14-darter as his loyal army of supporters sensed victory.

But back came the European and World Series of Darts champion, who reached the Masters final on Sunday, with four successive legs, including a closing checkout of 124 on the bullseye.

"I was so nervous tonight, it felt like my first day at school all over again," said Wade. "I'm happy with the result and a lot of how I played, I felt a bit unlucky to be a break down but I came on strong at the end and it's nice to get off to a winning start."