The Best Leg of Darts…Ever!

Michael Smith staked a claim at achieving the best leg of darts ever at the Alexandra Palace against the legendary Michael van Gerwen. Not only did Smith claim the Championship that night, but he did so by absolutely nailing the only nine-dart finish of the tournament. 

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Cometh the hour, cometh the Michael!

Michael versus Michael, the pride of the Netherlands and England respectively, clashed in what has come to be known as the best leg of darts…ever! 

Michael van Gerwen 

Michael van Gerwen was a teenage wonderkid, breaking through to win his first World Masters in 2006. He had to endure a wait of six years before seeing his next win, but that was the start of something special. 

The dutchman was crowned champion of the world in 2014, 2017 and 2019, ranked world number one for eight years and securing over 140 PDC titles along the way. 

Michael Smith 

Hailing from St Helens, Michael Smith saw his landmark win land at the Grand Slam of Darts in 2022. Smith enjoyed success as a former World Youth Champion but has also challenged for the sport’s most prestigious honours in the last few years. 

Quickly becoming one of the most formidable forces on the professional darts circuit, Smith was given the nickname ‘Bully Boy’ being known for his power scoring prowess and his aggressive and unapologetic playing style. 

Allow me to set the scene

Michael van Gerwen took the first set of the championship 3-1, he looked to be in absolute control and almost unphased by the stage upon which he found himself. Van Gerwen held his throw to start the next set, but the challenger, Michael Smith, produced an 11-dart leg to square it all up. And yet, it was what came next that will surely be etched in the pages of history…

Allow me to set the scene; the start of the encounter was everything a jam-packed Ally Pally could have wished for! Two players going hammer and tongs for the sport’s biggest prize. 

Van Gerwen threw 180 (60, 60, 60), 177 (60, 60, 57) and then landed a further two more treble 20’s needing just double 12 to complete what would have been a historical finish. However, his final dart missed the wire of a double 12 by mere millimeters. Smith had matched a double set of 180’s and had the chance now to land a historic shot himself. He hits treble 20, treble 19 and now needing double 12 to close, lands the shot sending those inside Ally Pally into unbridled ecstasy. 

Wayne Mardle 

Wayne Mardle is a former professional darts player – hailing from London, England – he is now a commentator and also offers punditry on the darts circuit. Likely not Phil Taylor’s biggest fan, given that he was runner-up in three PDC majors during his career, losing to Taylor on every occasion, Mardle is now best known for his work as a commentator. 

I Can’t Speak, I Can’t Speak!

The intensity of the crowd who witnessed this leg of darts coupled with the passion of commentator Wayne Mardle immortalised the moment and made it almost palpable even for those watching on television. 

“I can’t speak, I can’t speak!” – Mardle went absolutely berserk after Smith lands the nine-darter which won him the championship. 

In the aftermath of the pandemonium, Smith commented: “I’ve watched that nine [darter] about a million times. It wouldn’t have even been that good without Wayne Mardle commentating on it.”

“That is the most amazing leg of darts you will ever see in your life” proclaimed Mardle – a most apt and deserving description of what was always going to be an iconic leg of darts. Smith seemed largely unphased in the moment, but not only did he go on to win the Championship by seven sets to four – the win installed him (at the time) as the world number 1.