Littler marks Lakeside debut with thrilling win over Hazel, McEwan produces another polished display to down Turner

Luke Littler has marked his WDF Lakeside World Championship debut with the 15-year-old surging past Ben Hazel in a match that went all the way.

Littler sealed it with a 126 checkout with 'The Nuke', one of the favourites for the title delivering on his pre-tournament promise.

Littler missed bull to begin the match for a 126 but returned to seal the opening leg with a break of throw. He missed the bull again for 124 before missing three at double 20 and Hazel returned for 80 to level up.

An 84 checkout began the second set for Littler to lead. He missed the bull on 121 and Hazel hit 79 to level. Littler hit double 10 to go 2-1 up before hitting a 102 checkout to seal the set. Littler broke throw to begin the third set and held throw on double 20 to go one away from a 2-1 lead.

He missed double 12 for a 141 but returned for the set. Littler hit a 145 to pressure but Hazel levelled up the fourth sets on double 20. Hazel hit 80 to go one away from levelling up. A 76 checkout saw Hazel send it all the way.

Littler broke with a 100 checkout to begin the deciding set. A 104 checkout to hit back with a break to make it 1-1. Double three for Littler saw him go one away before pinning 126 to claim it.

While it was another polished display from Jim McEwan as he produced a 157 checkout to see off Aaron Turner and reach round three.

McEwan began where he left off in the last round sweeping the opening set with a 14-dart start in the form of a 46 checkout. Turner finally got a leg on the board on double two.

McEwan missed 102 to hold and Turner hit double 20 to double his lead before McEwan hit back with a 98 checkout to break and held to send it all the way but Turner had the throw and made it 1-1.

He hit a 180 but Turner hit back with a 149 checkout to make it 1-1. An 80 checkout saw McEwan go 2-1 up.

Another maximum from McEwan was pinned but both missed multiple sets of darts for the leg with Turner getting the hold in the end at 2-2.

McEwan made it five 180’s in the match and missed 94 for the set but returned with Turner way back to seal the set at 2-1.

A 56 checkout opened it up for McEwan before hitting another 180 leaving double 20 from 138 which he pinned to go one away. His 80 to win was under pressure and Turner returned after McEwan missed a match dart to hit double nine. A 157 checkout saw McEwan seal it.