Bradford darts ace Cullen reaches Premier League play-offs

Bradford’s Cullen won his showdown with world number one Peter Wright in Newcastle last night to seal his top-four spot.

He will now face defending champion Jonny Clayton in the semi-finals in the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on June 13.

Cullen’s clinical finishing saw him over the line with a 6-4 win over Wright before losing to Clayton.

He said: “It was all on one game and that was all that mattered.

“I struggled in the second one to get up for the game just because the job was done.

“I think I more than justified my spot in the Premier League. No-one can argue with that now – not that I’d care if they did.

“It’s nice to shut a few people up.

“I’m in the play-offs now. Form goes out the window a little bit and it’s all on the night.”

Cullen and Wright were locked on 22 points going into the week 16 finale in the north-east. But the former Wyke postie held his nerve to nail all six out-shots at double 16.

“I was nervous,” he admitted. “It was a massive game but it’s probably the best I’ve felt in the whole Premier League.

Joe Cullen is beaten by Jonny Clayton last night - and they meet again in Germany

“There have been other weeks that have not meant as much and I’ve been a bit edgy for no apparent reason.

“I don’t think I played great but if you can finish like that you give yourself a chance in any game.”

The Masters champion was only really pressured once on his own throw, taking out a 105 after Wright had left 36 after nine darts.

“I think that was the only time he threatened my throw. I was comfortable for the majority of the game.

“It was always going to be nip and tuck. It was never going to be 105 plays 106.

“To come out the other side as the victor and be in Berlin, I couldn’t ask for much more.”

Michael Van Gerwen and James Wade clash in the other semi-final in Germany.

Michael Smith broke his duck last night to scoop the £10,000 bonus.