OUT OF LUKE
Luke Littler denied Premier League Darts record as Luke Humphries spoils the Nuke’s big day in Manchester
The Warrington-native was favourite to win Week 10 in the North West
LUKE LITTLER's hopes of making Premier League history have been KO'd by the World No1.
The Nuke was beaten 6-4 in a thrilling semi-final by Luke Humphries in Manchester.
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Littler, 18, went into Week 10 with a six-point lead over Humphries at the top of the Premier League standings.
No player has ever won five Premier League nights in a single season.
And the record still stands, with Littler marooned on four after he fell just short against Cool Hand.
The two Luke's clashed in the final four - and it was the 2024 world champion who came out on top.
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Humphries had earlier this week claimed he was feeling drained after a hectic schedule.
But he showed no signs of fatigue in his quarter-final against Stephen Bunting, hitting an outstanding average 118.43.
It was the third-highest ever in Premier League history and set the scene for a heavyweight clash against Littler in the semis.
Cool Hand couldn't repeat a similar scoring feat as he had against Bunting, but was lethal on the doubles as he took out 6 from 13.
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He sent Littler packing with a ruthless bout of finishing down the stretch, winning three consecutive legs to seal the match 6-4.
The Nuke was one dart away from a historic nine-darter earlier in the contest.
Classy Luke Littler celebrates with Gerwyn Price as Welshman hits incredible nine-darter to bag £30k gold darts
It would have been the second of the night after Gerwyn Price threw a perfect leg in his quarter-final loss to Littler.
Price will now receive a set of £30,000 18ct gold darts from sponsors BetMGM for his efforts.
Premier League Darts 2025: Dates and venues
Night 1 - Belfast: Humphries beat Dobey 6-1
Night 2 - Glasgow: Littler beat Humphries 6-5
Night 3 - Dublin: Price beat Aspinall 6-3
Night 4 - Exeter: Humphries beat Littler 6-4
Night 5 - Brighton: Littler beat Aspinall 6-3
Night 6 - Nottingham: Price beat Littler 6-3
Night 7 - Cardiff: Littler beat Van Gerwen 6-4
Night 8 - Newcastle: Littler beat Humphries 6-1
Night 9 - Berlin: Bunting beat Price 6-5
Night 10 - AO Arena, Manchester - Thursday April 10
Night 11 - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam - Thursday April 17
Night 12 - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool - Thursday April 24
Night 13 - Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 - First Direct Arena, Leeds - Thursday May 8
Night 15 - P&J Live, Aberdeen - Thursday May 15
Night 16 - Utilita Arena, Sheffield - Thursday May 22
Play-Offs - The O2, London - Thursday May 29
Humphries advanced to face local favourite Nathan Aspinall in the final.
The Stockport star dropped just four legs in total as he tore through Rob Cross and Michael van Gerwen.
And he showed now signs of stopping in the final either, getting the better of Humphries 6-4 with an average of 93.29.
The Asp even came close to getting a perfect leg of his own, but missed his first dart on his third visit after taking an age over the high-pressure moment.
His first nightly victory of the season came in front of esteemed company too, having earlier spotted Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney was in the arena.
He joked: "One of the drivers told me he was coming down.
"I don’t think he is coming to watch me!
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“That is the thing with darts at the moment, it’s attracting so many big names to come and watch us play.
"I think they appreciate the talent and the pressure that we are under night after night."
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