Luke Littler secured his first night win of the season after beating home favourite Jonny Clayton 6-4 in an enthralling Night Five final in Cardiff.
The back-to-back world champion came into the week seventh in the eight-team standings after a slow start to the campaign, with Littler having to recover from early struggles against Josh Rock to win 6-4 and avoid another early exit.
Littler improved during a semi-final win over Gerwyn Price, where he fired three ton-plus and closed out a 6-3 victory with a ‘Big Fish’ 170 checkout, then impressed against Clayton in an absorbing final.
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Luke Littler misses double 15 to narrowly miss out on a nine-dart leg during his win over Jonny Clayton
The 19-year-old fired a 106.5 average in a final that produced 11 maximums, with Littler delivering the second Big Fish of the night and coming agonisingly close to a nine-darter on his way to a much-needed victory.
Littler becomes the fifth different nightly winner in the first five weeks in the Premier League season and jumps to third in the standings on nine points, as Clayton – who saw off Gian van Veen and Luke Humphries on his way to the final – extends his lead with a runner-up finish.
More to follow…
Littler looks to build on Cardiff victory
“The table looks good,” Littler told Sky Sports. “It wasn’t looking good in seventh. But it just goes to show tonight. I think I had to focus on myself.
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Luke Littler returned to winning ways in the Premier League and vowed to claim consecutive UK Open titles for the first time in ten years
“Even the first game against Josh, it wasn’t the best. I think he had over 103. I had a 96 and I came out victorious. But then against Gezzy and Johnny, I had to put it in.
“It took a while to get settled in [to the season], as it did in the first year. But tonight, I’ve done really well and I’m proud of myself. I said in my pre-match interview, every week I felt good, but I’ve just not shown it. Even practicing, I’ve been playing well.
“I’m just glad tonight I could take practice and bring it on to where that’s what I’ve done.”
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Wayne Mardle says Luke Littler showed his great temperament in Cardiff while Luke Humphries is not getting rewarded for throwing some amazing darts
What’s happening in Night Six?
The Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham hosts next week’s action, where Rock will have another opportunity to claim a first victory of the season when he faces Stephen Bunting in the opening match.
Clayton takes on Michael van Gerwen and Humphries plays Van Veen, while Littler takes on Price in a repeat of their Cardiff semi-final.
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Watch Night Six live on Thursday March 12 from 7pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports+. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.