Littler Triumphs As Brighton Sees 2 Nine-darters

6 March 2025


Luke Littler won night five of the Premier League in Brighton on a night which saw 2 nine-dart surfaces.


The 18-year-old claimed his second night victory of the year with a 6-3 win in the final over Nathan Aspinall.


Defending champion Littler struck 5 180s as he triumphed again, 4 days after whipping James Wade 11-2 to win the UK Open.


"I have actually constantly been confident in my own ability, however the way my darts are going at the minute, it's probably the very best I have actually ever used a consistent basis," Littler informed Sky Sports.


World primary Luke Humphries hit the first Premier League nine-darter of 2025 in the quarter-finals but was beaten by Rob Cross, who went on to seal his own best leg against Aspinall before losing a decider.


The pair both get a set of strong gold darts, worth an approximated ₤ 30,000 each, from league sponsors BetMGM.


Littler's success sees him cut the space on league leader Humphries to 2 points from 7, with the set meeting in Nottingham next week.


In a rematch of January's world final, where Littler become darts' youngest champ, he triumphed again in Brighton with a 6-2 success over Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals.


The Dutchman, a seven-time Premier League champ, has yet to make a last in this year's competition.


All the action as it happened in Brighton


Humphries beats Littler to win Exeter last


27 February 2025


Humphries beaten regardless of nine-dart surface


Humphries hit the ideal leg with two 180s before a 141 checkout to go 2-0 ahead against Cross.


But the 30-year-old, who was seeking his 3rd of the campaign, ended up losing 6-4 to his fellow Englishman.


It was the 17th best leg in the Premier League since its inception in 2005.


But 2018 world champ Cross hit 7 180s of his own and balanced 111.19 as he grabbed the success.


Littler was far from his best in his opener against Chris Dobey, where he routed 5-4 before levelling and clinching the decider with a 110 surface.


Gerwyn Price paid the price for missing out on functions as he decreased 6-3 to Van Gerwen, while Stephen Bunting remains without a point after a fifth consecutive defeat, beaten 6-2 by Aspinall, who balanced 106.


Sky consistently apologised to audiences after their TV photos eliminated at various phases during the early part of the evening.


Premier League Darts Night 5 outcomes


Luke Littler 6-3 Nathan Aspinall


Michael van Gerwen 2-6 Luke Littler


Rob Cross 5-6 Nathan Aspinall


Gerwyn Price 3-6 Michael van Gerwen


Luke Littler 6-5 Chris Dobey


Rob Cross 6-4 Luke Humphries


Stephen Bunting 2-6 Nathan Aspinall


Premier League Darts is played across 16 initial weeks in the league phase with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final each night.


Each of the 8 players is ensured to deal with the other 7 in the quarter-finals in weeks 1-7 and 9-15, with the weeks 8 and 16 fixtures done off the table. It suggests we will get 4th v 5th in Sheffield on the last league-stage night, with the play-off spots possibly on the line.


Players make 2 points per quarter-final win, an extra point if they win their semi-final and five for winning the night.


The top 4 players after the group stage progress to the play-off night at London's O2 Arena on 23 May, with very first dealing with 4th and second against third in a best-of-19-leg match. The last, which is the very best of 21 legs, follows.


Premier League Darts Night 6 order of play


Nottingham, 13 March, 19:00 GMT


Luke Humphries v Luke Littler


Rob Cross v Chris Dobey


Stephen Bunting v Gerwyn Price