Luke Humphries secured a thrilling 6-5 victory over Luke Littler to claim night 14 of the Premier League Darts, further cementing his place in the playoffs. The home crowd at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, buoyed by the recent promotion of the city’s football team from the Championship, had extra reason to celebrate as Humphries triumphed in a dramatic final. The win marked back-to-back successes for Humphries in Yorkshire, having also won here in 2024, and propelled him to the O2 Arena for the decisive night of action later this month.
Littler, who supports Manchester United, had previously taunted the Leeds fans, mocking them during his quarter-final victory over Nathan Aspinall. His antics continued into his semi-final match, where he defeated Gerwyn Price. However, the young player’s bravado backfired in the final, as Humphries, with the crowd behind him, came out on top in a gripping encounter. The match was decided in a tense final-leg decider after Littler missed a crucial shot at bullseye to win the match. Humphries, who was in top form, had already hit five 180s and averaged 100.96 during the final, putting on an impressive display to end his 10-week wait for a nightly victory.
Humphries reflected on the significance of the victory, saying, “I really wanted to win. I’m really, really pleased to win in Leeds. It’s been a great couple of weeks for Leeds. It is extra special to win in Leeds. I feel at home here, I know it isn’t my hometown but it does feel extra special.” He also expressed his hopes for the finals night, saying that last year’s victory in Leeds gave him extra confidence, and he hoped this win would inspire him to achieve his long-term goal of securing a Premier League crown.
In the earlier stages of the night, Humphries began his campaign with a 6-4 win over Michael van Gerwen, who has yet to win a nightly title in this year’s Premier League. The seven-time champion’s spot in the playoffs is far from guaranteed, with players like Nathan Aspinall and Rob Cross still in contention. Meanwhile, Stephen Bunting also strengthened his playoff prospects with a semi-final appearance, where he was narrowly beaten by Humphries. Bunting had earlier defeated Chris Dobey in their quarter-final clash.
While the night was filled with high-level darts action, the atmosphere in Leeds was charged with extra emotion. The fans, who were already in a celebratory mood due to the football team’s success, didn’t hold back in voicing their displeasure toward Littler, who had antagonized them throughout the evening. Littler’s mock crying after his quarter-final victory and his playful goading of the crowd during his semi-final win over Price only seemed to fuel their fervor. Ultimately, Humphries’ victory added to the festive atmosphere, giving the home fans the perfect end to an exciting night of darts.
As the Premier League Darts playoffs draw nearer, Humphries will be hoping that his form continues into the final stage of the competition. With his confidence high and a second win in Leeds under his belt, the 27-year-old is eager to seize the opportunity to claim the Premier League title he has longed for. The tournament’s climactic conclusion at the O2 Arena promises to be a thrilling showdown, and Humphries will be a player to watch as he aims to make his dream a reality.
