Sporting Life
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries

Darts results: Luke Humphries holds off Luke Littler's comeback to defend his Players Championship Finals title

By Chris Hammer
Darts
Mon November 25, 2024 · 3h ago

Luke Humphries withstood a comeback from Luke Littler to retain his Players Championship Finals title in Minehead.

In a repeat of the World Championship and Premier League finals, Cool Hand led 5-1 and 6-2 before being pegged back to 8-7 but he promptly reeled off the next three legs to claim his sixth major title in just 13 months.

Littler was bidding to win back-to-back major ranking titles having landed his first at last week's Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton and he began the final as favourite thanks to a superb run which had seen him average over 100 in every match.

But both players got off to an uncharacteristically cagey start, with Littler particularly struggling to find his potent range until he just had too much work to do.

“I’m really, really proud of that one to be honest,” Humphries told ITV.

“I didn’t feel myself this week playing-wise, I felt like I was a dart behind in a lot of the scenarios but there’s something that Luke does to you. He really drives me, makes me want to be a better player and I enjoy playing him.

“He let me in really early in that first session to go 4-1 up, I never looked back and I’m proud that I didn’t take my foot off the gas. These big games are what I live for.

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“Luke is a special talent and he was right – I said to him I’ve got to get these (titles) early before he wins them all.

“I’d love to be up here and hitting 105 averages like Luke is all the time but he’s a different calibre, he’s probably the best player in the world right now but there’s something about me that never gives up.

“This is a great way to go into the worlds.”

Littler said: “It was tough, missed a few doubles and if you don’t take chances early on, it’s a lot to come back.

“I hit the 170 and the 164 but just didn’t have enough in the end.

“It’s been a good past two weeks. I just can’t wait to go home, chill out, obviously practice at home for the worlds. That’s it now, leading up to the big one.”

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