HUMPHRIES EDGES LITTLER TO WIN IN LEEDS

By Aaron Nijjar  

LUKE HUMPHRIES won Night 14 of the Premier League in Leeds after beating Luke Littler 6-5 in the final  

‘Cool Hand’ who sits in second has now tripled his tally of Night victories and trails league leader Littler by eight points.  

Seven-time major winner Humphries averaged a stellar 101 to edge Littler and win in front of his home crowd at the First Direct Arena. 

‘The Nuke’ took out 96 on D19, D19 to take an early 2-0 lead before Humphries won three legs on the spin.  

Reigning World champion Littler restored parity with a majestic 11-dart leg on tops, but a business-like Humphries broke with a fourth 180 and D10 to go back in front with a 13-darter. 

Cheshire thrower Humphries took out 80 to move to the verge of victory before Littler won back-to-back legs to send the final all the way. 

Both players missed a match dart at the bull to win but it was Humphries who converted 52 to seal the triumph. 

Humphries revealed he was delighted to win in Leeds and dreams of winning a maiden Premier League title. 

He said: “It was a great final. There has been a bit of a breeze up here and it has been tough for all players.  

“I tried to move to the left in the final to compensate and it worked. I struggled a bit but I have to get it out of my head as we have to deal with it. 

“I am really pleased to win in Leeds. It is extra special. I know it is not my hometown but I did it last year and it set me up for the finals. 

“Hopefully this can give me confidence and I get that elusive Premier League crown I have dreamed of. 

“You know you have to be at your best to beat Littler. You have to be better against him and raise your game.” 

Humphries chucked in four 180s and averaged 98.89 to overcome Michael van Gerwen 6-4 in the last eight.  

World No.1 Humphries hit 40 percent of his doubles and averaged 91.94 to beat Bunting 6-4 and hand ‘The Bullet’ his first semi-final loss in this year’s campaign. 

Teen sensation Littler defeated Nathan Aspinall 6-4 to advance into the last four.  

Warrington whizkid Littler then averaged a super 104 and hit a scintillating 153 finish in a 6-3 triumph against Gerwyn Price as he reached an EIGHTH final in 14 weeks. 

Price survived two match darts and hit a stellar 112 checkout on the way to beating Rob Cross 6-5 in the quarter-final. 

Bunting came back from 5-2 to edge Chris Dobey 6-5 and he sealed the win with a cracking 121 bull checkout.