WARRINGTON’S youth darts sensation has finally emerged as a nightly winner in the PDC Premier League.
Luke “The Nuke” Littler broke his duck at the ninth attempt as he beat stablemate Nathan Aspinall 6-4 in the final in Belfast.
This follows impressive victories over world champion Luke Humphries, who was denied the chance to win for the fourth night in a row, and Michael Van Gerwen, which lifted him into second place in the overall standings.
“I’m happy to win. It’s my first race,” the 17-year-old told Sky Sports on stage after his win over Aspinall.
“As people may have seen, I changed my pitch to give myself a little more time before releasing the next two. I worked harder and it paid off.
“I had a good practice match with Rob Cross before we went out tonight, we both averaged over 100.
“He encouraged me to do this and I’m glad I brought him here.”
Luke Littler with his trophy after his victory in Belfast (Image: PA Wire)
Luke Littler finally breaks his duck
It was Littler’s first final since Night Two in Berlin, where he lost the decider to Van Gerwen, and it was Aspinall’s fourth final in six weeks.
But Littler immediately looked home as he posted a stunning 136 to take the opening leg.
But this appeared to bring Aspinall back to life and he stormed through three consecutive legs to establish himself as the favorite for the second night win of 2024.
Just when it looked like more disappointment was coming for Littler, he re-formed the composition and broke back with a stunning bull-25 finish of 125 to tie the match at 3-3.
Aspinall looked shaken and Littler took advantage to consolidate the break to score 70 with his own shot and then break Aspinall again for 51 to put himself on the brink of victory.
The Belfast fans felt their heroes were getting close to securing their moment of glory and had to calm them down as they booed Aspinall all the way to the top as the Stockport man scored 70 to survive.
But Littler could not be denied; He missed the double 10 favorite for a check-out of 140 which would have wrapped up the match in style but scored his fourth match dart on his next visit.
Littler is congratulated on his victory by defeated finalist Nathan Aspinall (Image: PA Wire)
‘Luke The Nuke’ beat MVG again
Littler produced his best-ever individual performance in the Premier League in his last meeting with Van Gerwen, beating the Dutchman by 114 in the Seventh Night quarter-final in Nottingham.
And while these last four shows weren’t quite as captivating, they were just as dominant in the end as it punished a colorless MVG.
Littler had the scoring advantage but both players’ difficulties in finding the treble were summed up when the first maximum of the game did not come until the fifth leg, and the youngster won the match to take a 3-2 lead in the toss of the match.
This proved to be Van Gerwen’s cue to take full control, punishing his carelessness in making the first break, and when MVG looked to strike straight back, excellent control of 110 consolidated Littler’s advantage, much to the youngster’s delight.
Van Gerwen kept himself alive in the next leg, but it was only a temporary reprieve due to Littler’s domineering attitude, which then saw him seal the victory at double 12 with his first match dart.
Littler celebrates his important 4-2 semi-final win over Michael Van Gerwen (Image: PA Wire)
Littler ends Humphries’ winning streak
Although Littler isn’t usually one to get too carried away on stage, the celebrations that followed the double 10 to beat Humphries showed you just how much money he had put into that game.
The chips appeared to be stacked against the man who had won the last three nights, but it was clear from the start that the youngster was into the game.
He took an early 2-0 lead, capitalizing on Humphries’ uncharacteristically sloppy double, and looked in good spirits as he started the third leg with a 180.
But Humphries isn’t world champion, world number one and Premier League leader for nothing; He went on the offensive with a shot break and then stopped Littler, who was struggling to hold on, on the next play to tie the game.
Humphries sensed it was his moment to attack, but Littler stayed with him and both men made ever-increasing checks to protect their shots.
First it was 64 from Littler, then 84 from Humphries, and Littler attacked after scoring 85 to lead 4-3, but his match-record ‘out’ of 148 saw Humphries overtake him.
It was then the man from Newbury’s turn to attack and he darted at the bull for a decisive charge, but Littler held on and his seventh 180 in the next leg set him up for a match dart at double 20, but he just missed Humphries making the point. higher party that will allow it to decide.
Littler had the darts and took full advantage to end Humphries’ chances of winning an unprecedented fourth night in a row, with the Warringtonian finishing with an average of 102.02.
Luke Humphries congratulates Littler after quarter-final win in Belfast (Image: PA Wire)
PDC Premier League Darts, Night Nine results, SSE Arena, Belfast
Quarterfinals
Luke Humphries 5-6 Luke Littler
Michael Smith 4-6 Michael Van Gerwen
Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Gerwyn Price
Rob Cross 3-6 Peter Wright
semi-finals
Luke Littler 6-3 Michael Van Gerwen
Nathan Aspinall 6-2 Peter Wright
Final
Luke Littler 6-4 Nathan Aspinall