PONTYBEREM plasterer Jonny Clayton has described winning the 2021 Unibet Premier League darts title at his first attempt as "absolutely phenomenal".

The 46 year-old - a former Cardigan League player - beat Jose de Sousa 11-5 in the final in Milton Keynes to cap a stunning year for the Carmarthenshire council worker.

'The Ferret' had earlier ended Michael van Gerwen's perfect Premier League semi-final record, edging the favourite 10-8 at the Marshall Arena.

His £250,000 prize was by far his biggest pay-day - but the 2021 Masters champion said that he will still be back in work this week.

"It's absolutely phenomenal - thank you to everyone who believes in me, it means a lot," Clayton commented after winning the final.

"I'm still back in work on Monday, but seriously it's absolutely massive for me to win this trophy, and it means the absolute wold to me."

The former Pontyberem scrum half added: "I love the game of darts, I'm a lazy practiser, but when I come up on here I try my very best.

"Wales is on the map, my little village is on the map. I have a few thank yous to all my sponsors who believe in me, my family, my kids, awesome.

"Most of all to the NHS who are willing to risk their health to save ours during this pandemic, so thank you very very much, it's brilliant."

The win capped a sensational debut year for Clayton, having only confirmed his spot in the field after winning The Masters in January.

The final was competed between two Premier League debutants for a second successive year as Clayton took on De Sousa, of Portugal.

Clayton took the early initiative, checking out 121 on the bull, before breaking the De Sousa's throw and consolidating with a hold of his own to take a 3-1 lead.

The pair then traded holds, before Clayton was able to break again in the seventh leg to move 5-2 in front, taking out 36 for a 13-dart leg.

This seemingly inspired the Portuguese darts ace, who regained one of the breaks immediately after a ten-dart leg to give himself hope.

Then, with the score at 6-4, Grand Slam champion De Sousa missed four darts at a double to close the gap to one.

Clayton took his opportunity, and pinned double 12 to edge towards the title in his first season in the Premier League.

De Sousa did manage to break back immediately once again as he pulled the score back to 7-5, but time was running out for him.

Clayton strung together a run of four consecutive legs to win the prestigious darts title and the £250,000 top prize.

Earlier in the night, Clayton ended Van Gerwen's hopes of winning a sixth Premier League title with a pulsating 10-8 semi-final victory.

The Carmarthenshire star averaged 103 and came from 8-7 down to book a spot in the final against the Dutchman.

De Sousa ensured that two debutants would appear in the final for a second successive year as he edged out Nathan Aspinall 10-9 in another thriller.