MICHAEL Van Gerwen made it back-to-back victories in the darts Premier League.

He hit a 130 checkout on his way to a hard-fought 6-5 quarter-final victory over James Wade in Brighton on Thursday night.

The three-time world champion shrugged off missing seven match darts in the 10th leg to win the decider.

Van Gerwen clicked into top gear with a 6-1 thrashing of Joe Cullen in the semi-finals, which included a 170 finish in the fourth leg, before averaging 103.89 in beating Michael Smith 6-4 in the final.

After the victory, the 32-year-old Dutchman told Sky Sports: “I feel good, I feel comfortable. The Premier League takes a lot of energy but when you are doing well it gives you a lot of pleasure.

“My form is starting to come together. I know what I am capable of but sometimes it takes a little bit of time.”

Smith had beaten Gary Anderson 6-1 and Jonny Clayton 6-2 on his way to the final, where he hit five maximums and averaged 100.61 in defeat.

Cullen had earlier received a walkover into the semi-finals after Gerwyn Price was forced to withdraw with a hand injury.

Cullen was awarded a 6-0 win in the opening round of the night.

A statement released by Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) said: “The Welshman informed the PDC of his decision at 4pm on Thursday, having travelled to Brighton on Wednesday and attempted to practise ahead of his scheduled match with Joe Cullen.

“Following the withdrawal, under the rules of the tournament Cullen is awarded a 6-0 win in the quarter-finals, and progresses into the semi-finals to play either Michael van Gerwen or James Wade.”

Price, who is nicknamed The Iceman, previously became the first Welshman become world darts champion.

In 2017, he was the runner-up at the UK Open - Price's first major event final - and has also competed in the prestigious Premier League Darts tournament on three occasions, finishing 10th, 5th, and 5th, in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively.

Price took his first major win in controversial fashion at the 2018 Grand Slam of Darts tournament.

He retained the title at the 2019 tournament, and won it again in 2021.