Premier League Darts: Luke Humphries beats Michael van Gerwen to win at Leeds as Luke Littler is beaten in semi-finals | Darts News

Luke Humphries beats Michael van Gerwen to win at Leeds as Luke Littler is knocked out in the semi-finals; Watch Premier League darts every Thursday night until the play-offs at the O2 in London on Thursday 23 May – live on Sky Sports

Luke Humphries made it a dream night by beating Michael van Gerwen to win Night 15 of this year’s Premier League Darts in Leeds, while Luke Littler was knocked out in the semi-finals.

Leeds United fan Humphries delighted the home crowd as he battled to victory against Van Gerwen 6-5 to win on his big night.

“Coming in here, I felt a little bit of pressure, I can’t lie,” Humphries said at Sky Sports.

“I knew (the pressure) was on me. This was a dream for me tonight to play in front of a crowd that I don’t get to do very often.

“Tonight was amazing. To go on to win was one of my greatest experiences in darts.”

Humphries – dressed in a Leeds United themed shirt as he basked in the support of the First Direct Arena crowd – produced a string of impressive performances before beating Van Gerwen in a decider.

After breaking in the first leg of the final, Dutchman Van Gerwen – who had earlier beaten Premier League leader Luke Littler – opened up a 3-1 lead before Humphries clawed back to level at 3-3.

There was little between the two men with a series of missed throws before a missed shot from 32 handed Humphries his first darts match.

The world No. 1, however, could not clear the 78 as Van Gerwen leveled at 5-5.

Both men then missed chances to get the win before ‘Cool Hand’ Humphries pulled it off, landing the double top with the last arrow in hand to secure a fourth win of the night overall.

Humphries, who came out to ‘I Predict A Riot’ by Kaiser Chiefs, added: ‘The crowd were fantastic. What dreams are made of.

“I played really well tonight but that’s how you peaked on night 17 – to be Premier League champions is something that would mean a lot to me.”

Littler, 17, remains five points clear at the top of the table, Humphries and Van Gerwen have also qualified for the O2, while Nathan Aspinall and Michael Smith look set to battle it out for fourth place in the play-offs in Sheffield next week. .

In his semi-final victory, Van Gerwen had just missed a nine-dart finish as he took the fourth leg to open up a 3-1 lead to Littler – before claiming the next in the doubles as both men went wide of target.

The Dutchman clinched his lead with a checkout of 74 and then booked his place in the double six final after hitting four highs as Littler’s average of 86.89 proved costly.

Humphries hit four 180s in a 6-1 demolition of play-off hope Michael Smith, averaging nearly 103.

Littler earlier got past former world champion Peter Wright with a 6-1 win in the quarter-finals.

In Thursday night’s opener, Van Gerwen came from behind to make it five straight in a 6-3 win over Gerwyn Price – the Welshman returned to Premier League action after missing last week with a pinched nerve in the back.

Humphries beat Rob Cross 6-1, hitting two 180s and finishing with a match average of 109.48, while Smith recorded a 6-3 victory over play-off rivals Aspinall, who were forced to pay because he didn’t get double.

Where does the Premier League go next?

The Premier League continues with Night 16 at the Utilita Arena, Sheffield on Thursday 16 May as Michael Smith and Nathan Aspinall clash in a winner-takes-all quarter-final clash.

Reigning world champion Luke Humphries faces Gerwyn Price, teenager Luke Littler will play Peter Wright for a place in the semi-finals, while Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross are also in action.

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Premier League Darts continues on Sky Sports on Thursday 16 May with Utilita Arena, Sheffield the next stop in the 17-week extravaganza until the play-offs at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday 23 May. and more with a NOW Sports Month subscription. No contract, cancel anytime.