Darts results: Gerwyn Price thrashes Michael Smith with breathtaking display to win Hungarian Darts Trophy

By Chris Hammer

Darts

Mon September 06, 2021 · 3y ago

Gerwyn Price produced a stunning display to thrash Michael Smith 8-2 in the final of the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest.

In the opening European Tour event of the season, the world number one averaged 108.74 to blow his opponent away at the Papp Laszlo Arena and scoop the £25,000 top prize.

The sparkling performance came hot on the heels of a 7-4 semi-final victory over Luke Humphries in which he averaged over 107 and fired in a closing 134 checkout although he had to scrap past both Brendan Dolan (6-4) and Damon Heta (6-4) earlier in the day with averages of 91 and 89 respectively.

It was the world champion's fourth European Tour title and the manner of his final two displays certainly turned the jeers he received on Saturday against Richard Veenstra into cheers.

Price, who hit four 180s and enjoyed a high checkout of 130, said: "It was a hostile reception on the first day but I appreciate the support today, everyone's been fantastic. I played with my old darts and they seemed to work so I don't know why I changed. I played my best stuff in the semis and final."

"To pick up the trophy in the first time here is fantastic. Michael played fantastic in the whole tournament - I was scraping through and played my best stuff in the semi-final and final, so I'm thankful for that."

Smith, playing in his 10th European Tour final, said: "He was relentless. Every time it was 140 or 180. It's hard to break down when someone's not missing. I'm just thankful we had the crowd back, it's been amazing."

🏆🏆 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗟𝗘! 🏆🏆

Gerwyn Price wins his fourth Euro Tour title as he is crowned the inaugural Hungarian Darts Trophy CHAMPION!

A remarkable display in the final, where Price steamrolled Smith to an 8-2 success with an average of almost 109! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PQBhwUW786
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) September 5, 2021

Bully Boy had previously seen off Keane Barry (6-2), Peter Wright (6-2) and Jose de Sousa (7-5) as he went in search of a fifth European Tour title and first since 2017 but could only average in the low 90s against Price.

Earlier in the day Michael van Gerwen's 2021 title drought was made to continue as he was stunned in the third round by Dolan, who missed four of the eight match darts in a dramatic deciding leg.

𝗠𝘃𝗚 𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗧!

The DRAMA! 🤯

Brendan Dolan defeats Michael van Gerwen with his fifth match dart and the wait for a title in 2021 for MvG continues!

'The History Maker' clinches a deciding leg victory to secure his Last 8 spot

📺 𝙐𝙥 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 👉Gerwyn Price v Damon Heta pic.twitter.com/MPUusJtcko
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) September 5, 2021

Humphries saw off James Wade in Sunday afternoon's third round to gain a measure of revenge for March's loss in the UK Open final, before defeating top seed Joe Cullen to reach his first European Tour semi-final.

De Sousa enjoyed wins over Premier League rival Nathan Aspinall and Czech teenager Adam Gawlas as he booked a semi-final spot.

Gawlas' win over fellow youngster Lewis Williams in the third round saw him reach the last eight, alongside Wright, Dolan and Cullen.