Michael Smith edges Luke Littler in deciding leg to reach final on Night 16 of Premier League Darts in Sheffield

Michael Smith has become the first man to book their place in the final of Night 16 at the 2024 Premier League Darts. After a victory in Nathan Aspinall the quarter-finals, Smith saw off Luke Littler 6-5 in the semi-finals in Sheffield.

Earlier in the night both Luke Littler and Michael Smith bagged themselves big wins. Littler saw off Peter Wright, securing that he would finish on top of the Premier League Darts table at the end of the campaign. Smith meanwhile, ensured he would the fourth and final name in the playoffs on finals night with a victory over Nathan Aspinall in what was essentially a straight shootout for fourth place.

'BullyBoy' had the advantage of throw having won the bull but that was quickly cancelled out by Littler in the opening leg as the 17-year-old broke the throw in 12 darts. Holding in the following leg and then breaking the throw again in leg 3, the table topper quickly stretched into an early advantage, despite the fact the averages weren't exactly anything too extraordinary.

Getting a break back in leg 4, Smith finally got himself off the mark. After Littler took leg 5, the teenager was waiting for a shot at double 10 to move within one of the match, only for Smith to pin a sensational 156 and keep himself in touch at 4-2 behind. Another ton-plus finish, 120 this time, followed and with a 14-darter in leg 8, 'BullyBoy' had clawed back to level terms.

With both players seeing opportunities come and go in leg 9, Smith was the man to eventually take the leg and move to the hill. Although Littler managed to force a decider, in the final leg it was the former world champion who prevailed, holding throw in 13 darts on double 10 to reach the final on Night 16.