Luke Humphries ends Luke Littler's back-to-back major title bid, retains Players Championship Finals title

Luke Humphries has often in his World Championship and World No.1 year perhaps been overlooked in favour of the 17-year-old sensation Luke Littler. But he proved the point that he is still the man to beat going into the PDC World Darts Championship retaining the Players Championship Finals.

Ironically after all the chatter all weekend surrounding the so-called dream final, it was actually a damp squibb for most of it but Humphries managed to edge it in the key moments down the stretch to win 11-7 and retain his title over his rival. Point proven from 'Cool Hand Luke'.

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Humphries started well with a 15-dart break. Humphries missed darts to hold but Littler missed 104 and 'Cool Hand Luke' hit double four for 2-0.

Littler got on the board in the following leg. Humphries wasn't on it neither was Littler but it was the former leading 3-1 hitting double 20. Littler missed two at double 15 from 90 but Humphries couldn't pounce on 114. Albeit both continued to miss darts as Littler sat at 1/12 and Humphries hit double 10 to go 4-1 up.

Humphries hit double one last dart in hand going 5-1 up. Humphries missed 90 for 6-1 and Littler ironically celebrated hitting 105. But Humphries finally went to 6-2 with a 97 average. Littler hit 170 to hold throw at 6-3. Humphries missed darts for 7-3 and Littler broke for 6-4 at the interval.

Humphries sat on 87 for 7-4 and Littler hit an incredible 164 checkout for 6-5 down. But Humphries held for 7-5. Littler left 47 after nine darts and hit a 12-darter for 7-6 down. Humphries amid a warning to the crowd about whistling battled them and Littler with an 86 checkout for 8-6.

Littler hit 136 to make it 8-7 down with Humphries doing the hard work to lead 170 but he wasn't 9-6 up at the break. But Humphries went two away at 9-7. Humphries made it 10-7 going one away and he was throwing for it. Littler couldn't get a shot at 94 to stay in it and Humphries hit double 20 for the title screaming at the board.

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