“Bring the nine-darter bonus back” - Luke Humphries produces moment of magic to see off Michael Smith in Wolverhampton

Luke Humphries salvaged his Grand Slam of Darts group-stage clash with Michael Smith in the most dramatic way possible. What looked like a frustrating, sluggish night suddenly erupted into fireworks as he nailed a sensational nine-darter in the deciding leg to seal a 5-3 win.

Despite a slow start and what he called a “really, really terrible performance,” Humphries dug deep when it mattered most and produced one of the standout legs of the tournament.

“It was a really, really terrible performance from myself at the start,” he admitted. “I guess this happens in darts. I’m not used to it. It felt hard work up there. It didn’t feel great. In practice everything was perfect, no injuries, nothing wrong. Then you go up there and it’s just really bad. The first leg set the precedent. The last 20 or 30 games I’ve played on that stage I’ve felt great, then suddenly you feel absolutely rubbish.”

Still, he could only laugh at the absurdity of following a 24-dart hold with perfection. “I don’t even have the words to describe what happened there. You can’t take a leg out in 24 darts then go and take one in nine. Everyone’s going to be wondering what happened, and I still don’t know myself.”

The nine-darter arrived just as the match seemed to be slipping into an arm-wrestle. Humphries said it all felt strangely natural.

“The whole leg felt effortless. The 177 felt good, then the 180, and once the first treble went in on the 144 it got easier. The first dart was great, the second followed it, and then double 12… everything felt smooth. It was a perfect nine-darter for myself.”

He believes his poor form earlier in the match actually helped him relax. “Usually when you’re on a nine-darter you’re playing well. It’s very rare someone hits one when they’re not playing great. Maybe I was more relaxed because of that.”

Humphries said the nine-darter didn’t fundamentally change how he viewed the performance.

“If I’d won without the nine, I still wouldn’t have come back too negative. It was just one of those games. Top players rarely put in two bad ones in a row. I kind of accepted in the game that it was just a bad performance and that it might all come down to Nathan tomorrow.”

He knows there’s still work to do. “I’m not through yet. I’ve still got work to do tomorrow. I’ll prep harder, work harder, make sure I’m in the best shape I can be to get through the group.”

Next up is Nathan Aspinall in what looks like a de facto shootout for top spot. “Of course I want to win. I don’t ever want to lose a game. When I won the Grand Slam the first time, I didn’t lose a match. It doesn’t feel the same winning a tournament if you lose along the way. I know the scenario depends on what Michael does, but I don’t care about that. I want to win the group and do it in good fashion.”

Humphries laughed at the idea that players can avoid the permutations. “You can’t escape it. Everyone pretends they don’t know, but you’d have to avoid social media for 24 hours. That’s not happening. If Alex wins, I’m through anyway, but I still want to win. I want to push Nathan and make him work hard.”

Asked if the old TV nine-darter bonus should return amid rising prize money, Humphries didn’t need persuading.

“Yeah, let’s make it half a million this year!” he joked. “There are a lot more nine-darters now, so it’s hard, but they should bring something back. A nine-darter is a great feat. You don’t see it a lot on TV.”

He insisted the money isn’t the motivation. “I’m just happy to win. The most important thing was improving my leg difference, which gives me an even better chance tomorrow.”

Humphries also spoke warmly about Michael Smith, who continues to battle injuries.

“I saw his interview yesterday. You’re not human if it doesn’t play on your heartstrings. Michael’s a tough guy and a lovely bloke. He doesn’t deserve what he’s going through. But he needs to make the right choices to give himself the best chance. I think he’s throwing okay. It’s more confidence now. I wish he didn’t have the injuries because when he’s at his best he’s a joy to watch.”

As for the Aspinall decider, Humphries was unequivocal. “I’m not going to be playing for legs. If you do that, that’s where you come unstuck. I’m playing to win. This is a tough group. You want to go into the last 16 with a good feeling.”

He expects Aspinall to be dangerous. “Nathan is best when his back’s against the wall. I think tomorrow he’ll feel it’s all or nothing. That makes him tough, but it motivates me too. I want him at his best so I can be even better.”