LITTLER SILENCES LIVERPOOL BOO-BOYS WITH NIGHT 12 WIN

LUKE LITTLER defied the Liverpool boo-boys to win Night 12 of the Premier League.

The world No.1, a well-known Manchester United fan, thrashed table-topper Jonny Clayton 6-1 in the final to claim his fourth nightly victory, close the gap to two points and remain second in the standings. 

The Nuke punished Luke Humphries’ missed chances on the doubles, where he landed just two of his 11 attempts, to seal a commanding 6-2 quarter-final victory.  

Littler switched darts at 3-1 down and finished clinically, hitting six of seven doubles to defy a 107.54 average from Michael van Gerwen and seal a 6-5 semi-final win. 

The teen sensation shrugged off the hostile crowd throughout the night to claim the £10,000 top prize. 

He said: “It was a good night. I am very happy with myself. I have won and we move on to next week. 

“I had to let a reaction out just for myself to get myself up there and going. It was really good to see Michael [van Gerwen] play a good game against me. 

“That is probably the best we have both played against each other in a very long time. He put me under pressure in a lot of legs. 

“I thought going back to the Gen 1’s, obviously more grip, would help me against Michael. It didn’t help me. 

“Then I got the new ones that aren’t out yet, then I hit a 180 and I was like, okay then. To play with them in the final, I played very well. 

“I am still not decided what I am going to use. Usually the doubling is not there, but I am very thankful it was. 

“I think Rotterdam was way louder than this tonight. This week was nothing compared to last week. 

“I just have to forget about it all. I was focused tonight. I am very close to Jonny now. I am going to chase him. 

“I want to finish top, whether it is meant to be. We still have three or four weeks to go.” 

Clayton survived a match dart to edge past home favourite Stephen Bunting 6-5 in a nail-biting clash.  

The Welshman then dodged another match dart, averaged 102.37 and produced three ton-plus checkouts to beat Gian van Veen 6-5 in the semi-final. 

Van Gerwen averaged 98.64 to brush aside Josh Rock 6-3 in the last eight. 

Van Veen overcame Gerwyn Price 6-4 in a scrappy opening affair.

Image by Taylor Lanning.