Littler Triumphs As Brighton Sees Two Nine-darters

6 March 2025


Luke Littler won night 5 of the Premier League in Brighton on an evening which saw two 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 five 180s as he thrived once again, 4 days after thrashing James Wade 11-2 to win the UK Open.


"I have actually constantly been positive in my own capability, however the method my darts are going at the minute, it's probably the very best I have actually ever played on a consistent basis," Littler told Sky Sports.


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


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


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


In a rematch of January's world last, where Littler become darts' youngest champion, he came out on top once again in Brighton with a 6-2 victory over Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals.


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


All the action as it happened in Brighton


Humphries beats Littler to win Exeter last


27 February 2025


Humphries beaten in spite of nine-dart surface


Humphries struck 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 nighttime win of the project, wound up losing 6-4 to his fellow Englishman.


It was the 17th ideal leg in the Premier League since its creation in 2005.


But 2018 world champion Cross struck seven 180s of his own and balanced 111.19 as he grabbed the victory.


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


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


Sky repeatedly apologised to viewers after their TV photos cut out at various stages during the early part of the night.


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 throughout 16 initial weeks in the league stage with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a last each night.


Each of the 8 gamers is guaranteed to face the other seven 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 areas possibly on the line.


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


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


v Gerwyn Price