Humphries Beats Littler in Thrilling Premier League Darts Final
Okay, so you know how everyone's been talking about Luke Humphries and Luke Littler dominating the darts world? Well, their latest showdown at the Premier League Darts final was seriously intense.
A Nail-Biting Finish
Humphries, nicknamed "Cool Hand Luke," took home the Premier League Darts trophy for the first time, beating his mate Littler ("The Nuke") 11-8. I mean, the atmosphere at the O2 was electric! It was a back-and-forth match, but in the end, Humphries’ consistency paid off. He even mentioned that Phil Taylor, the legend himself, had given him some advice and support in the weeks leading up to the final – which is pretty cool, right?
Littler's Wobbly Doubles
Honestly, watching Littler play, something felt off, even though his scoring was still ridiculously high. His usually amazing checkout percentage – a massive 44.93% coming into the final – completely disappeared. He just couldn't seem to nail those doubles when it mattered most. This cost him dearly against Humphries, who was far more consistent under pressure.
- Littler averaged 104.64 in his semi-final win over Gerwyn Price, but his checkout rate was way down.
- Against Humphries, his average was still impressive (100.29), but his doubling percentage plummeted to a concerning 29.63%.
It was a real shame to see, because Littler's such a talented player. He's only 18 and already a world champion, so this is definitely just a blip on the radar.
Humphries Completes the Triple Crown
This Premier League win means Humphries has now achieved the coveted "Triple Crown" – winning the World Championship, the World Matchplay, and now the Premier League. He joined an elite club, including Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor, and Michael van Gerwen. That's some serious company!
"Honestly, that one means the world to me," Humphries said after his win. "That was the one I was missing. I've done it now. If I don't win another title, I'm happy because I've done the three hardest ones to do.”
The Future of Darts
Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle thinks Humphries and Littler's dominance is only just beginning. He's predicting a long reign at the top for these two. Other players need to step up their game, for sure. I mean, it's going to take something special to knock these guys off their perch!
The rivalry between Humphries and Littler is something else – it adds so much to the sport. I, for one, can't wait to see what they do next!
What's Next?
The European Darts Open is underway in Leverkusen, Germany. Then it’s onto the World Cup of Darts, where Humphries and Littler will team up to defend England's title. It's going to be exciting! It's going to be a busy few weeks for these two.
Stay tuned for more darts updates!
