HUMPHRIES BELIEVES WORLD CUP WIN STRENGTHENED LITTLER PARTNERSHIP
14/06/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
LUKE HUMPHRIES believes England’s dramatic World Cup win over Wales could prove a defining moment in his partnership with Luke Littler.
Cool Hand and world No1 Littler edged a last-leg thriller 8-7 in Frankfurt against Nick Kenny and Jonny Clayton to enter the semi-final, where they will face Scotland.
Cymru raced into a 4-0 lead before Clayton missed a vital double 20 for a 120 checkout to go 5-0 up as England stopped the rot.
Teen sensation Littler then missed two darts at double 18 and another at double nine, allowing Wales to capitalise and stretch their advantage to 5-2 after the first break.
But England responded in style, winning four consecutive legs — including 11, 12 and 13-dart legs — to turn the match on its head and move 6-5 ahead.
Littler then produced a stunning 170 checkout to move 7-6 in front, with Wales waiting on 66.
The match went all the way to a deciding leg before England held their nerve to complete an 8-7 victory.
Humphries said: “That was a slobber knocker of a game. Jonny was pounding that treble every single throw and just put us under pressure.
“When we went in at the break, I said to Luke, we are playing alright, it is just our doubles.
“If we get them going, we have got a good chance. I think we went on a good spurt after the break and we started playing really good.
“My God, what a 170 that was. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you are me or him, Jonny or Nick.
“When you are in those moments, you feel the pressure and the nerves.
“You see at the end, we were over the moon to get through.
“Once we got going, we found that rhythm and we found that bond.
“We have only played three games together and I think that is a great game that will really bring us together.
“We know when we are under pressure and really on it, we can perform at the highest level.”
Littler added: “I always say on a 170, I always float my darts to try and get them on that treble.
“Me and Luke were so close in that game, the amount of 60s.
“The 170, I think I let a bit out there. Then Jonny and Nick, they held.
“We went to a last leg and, oh, I was feeling it there big time.”
