Luke Littler moved to the top of the Premier League table after coming from behind to beat Luke Humphries 6-5 in the Night 13 final in Aberdeen. The 19-year-old recorded his fifth nightly win — and his second in as many events — despite again receiving boos from parts of the crowd.
The final was the first meeting this season between the world’s top two. Littler set the tone with an 11-dart opening leg and both players traded high-quality finishes early on. Humphries hit a 130 checkout to level at 2-2 and then posted a 10-darter to take a 4-3 lead. A subsequent hold left Humphries one leg from the title, but Littler responded by winning the last three legs to clinch the match 6-5.
Littler said he wants to lead the table and chase more nightly wins, adding that practice had gone well and he was pleased to bring that form to the stage. He also joked that another Scottish player in the Premier League might lift the arena atmosphere ahead of next week’s night in Leeds.
Jonny Clayton, who Littler leapfrogged at the top, was beaten 6-2 by Gian van Veen in the quarters but had already secured a spot at Finals Night at The O2 on May 28 alongside Littler. Two qualification places remain up for grabs. Van Veen’s quarter-final victory boosted his hopes, but a 6-3 semi-final loss to Humphries leaves both him and Humphries two points behind Michael van Gerwen with three nights to play.
Van Gerwen had himself lost 6-3 to Humphries in a key quarter-final earlier in the evening, missing a chance to extend his advantage. Gerwyn Price picked up two points with a 6-5 quarter-final win over Stephen Bunting; Bunting and bottom-placed Josh Rock look unlikely to make the Finals. Rock was beaten 6-3 by Littler in the opening match of the night, and Littler then dominated Price 6-1 in the semi — his 15th win in 16 meetings with the Welshman.
Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle praised Littler’s composure, saying he handles pressure better than anyone currently on the circuit and that his ability to deliver in tense moments is why he keeps winning.
Premier League Darts continues every Thursday until May on Sky Sports, with streaming available via NOW.