World number one Luke Humphries triumphed in a Premier League win over Luke Littler in a 6-4 final win on night four in Exeter’s Westpoint Arena, taking control of the League table. The two have history, with Humphries defeating Littler in the 2024 world final but losing out in last years’ Premier League. This was Humphries first win in seven Premier League matches against the talented 18-year-old.
Much has been made of Littler’s talent as the youngest person to ever lift the World Championship trophy, with his first senior title win at just 14. He also performed well in previous matches that night, despite allegedly suffering with a cold. Littler defeated Nathan Aspinall 6-2 with a 109 average, having previously hit 10 in the 6-3 win over Bunting, who managed to hit six 180s of his own.
Humphries will be hoping to continue the momentum and maintain his position at the top of the table, in accordance with his stunning previous performances. He hit two brilliant checkouts – a 167 followed by a 116 – to claim a 6-5 victory against Rob Cross in the semi-finals, despite struggling on the doubles. Humphries is now eyeing a position in the top four, claiming “being sat on 15 points after four weeks, that’s a dream start for me.”
Humphries will be hoping to continue the momentum and maintain his position at the top of the table, in accordance with his stunning previous performances.
It was a less successful night for Stephen Bunting as he succumbed to a fourth defeat from four, but he was far from disgraced with an average of 104.89. Night three winner Gerwyn Price lost out 6-4 to Humphries, who picked up after the 10thleg. Seven time champion Michael van Gerwen will also be feeling doubts after he lost his opener for the first time this year, losing out 6-5 to Rob Cross. They currently sit eighth, third and fourth in the League table respectively.
As it stands, Luke Humphries is at the top of the League table with nine matches and two nights won, closely followed by Littler with five matches and one night. Night five moves to Brighton on Thursday 6th March, followed by night six in Nottingham the following week. The Brighton matches will see Littler v Dobey and Cross v Humphries, and come after Littler thrashed James Wade 11-2 in Minehead on Sunday. The first European Tour event, the Belgian Open, also commences on Friday, so Littler will undoubtedly be looking to continue his Minehead high in Brighton.
