HUMPHRIES SEALS PLAY-OFF SPOT WITH BIRMINGHAM TRIUMPH

Luke Humphries admitted he would have been “hurt” if he had failed to defend his title at the O2 after clinching victory in Birmingham.

The world No.2 has secured qualification for the Premier League Play-Offs and picked up the £10,000 top prize after beating Gerwen Price 6-4 in the final on Night 15. 

Cool Hand averaged a sensational 107.36 and landed six of his nine doubles in a dominant whitewash win over Stephen Bunting. 

The Cheshire thrower reeled off six consecutive legs in stunning fashion to fight back from 3-0 down and defeat Luke Littler, producing a sensational 110.98 average in their semi-final clash. 

Humphries claimed his first nightly victory of the tournament and now sits level on points with Gerwyn Price in third place.  

He said: “I’m incredibly proud of myself, probably the most proud I’ve ever been in my life. For me, the last two Premier Leagues have been easy, getting through in 14 weeks. 

“For the last few weeks there has been a lot of pressure on my shoulders. To make three finals and win one means a lot.  

“I get written off a lot as a player but this means I have that grit and determination. 

“Yes [there was a point where I thought I wouldn’t make Finals Night]. When you are five points outside the top four you think you need a miracle. 

“But in the back of my mind, my girlfriend’s mind, we knew I had it in me. I needed someone to tell me I could do it, and I’ve believed in myself that last few weeks. 

“I’m really proud because it would have hurt me had I not defended the title at The O2.” 

Price fired in a superb 100 checkout and averaged 101.32 to defeat Michael van Gerwen 6-4 in the quarter-finals. He repeated the scoreline to see off Gian van Veen in the semi-finals and seal his place at Finals Night. 

Littler smashed in two-ton plus checkouts and averaged over a ton to thrash Jonny Clayton 6-0 in the quarter-final. 

Van Veen produced a stellar 102.14 average to cruise past Josh Rock 6-3 in their opener.