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Luke Littler hammers Ryan Searle on World Matchplay debut

Luke Littler hammers Ryan Searle on World Matchplay debut

Independent6 days ago
Luke Littler stormed through to the second round of his debut World Matchplay with a 10-2 rout of Ryan Searle.
Littler, the second seed on his first appearance at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, looked like a man in a hurry as he jumped out to a 6-0 lead.
And although Searle was able to get on the board late on, there was never going to be any way back against Littler, who averaged nearly 109.
'I was well up for tonight,' Littler said on Sky Sports. 'I wanted that win, to get that winning feeling and I've done it in some standard.'
After revealing earlier this week he had failed his driving theory test for a fourth time, Littler said he has not been doing his homework for that as he has been keeping his focus on his game, adding: 'I've got a competition to focus on.'
'I've been practising so much,' he said. 'Obviously I've not put much on social media but I've been at home putting the hours in, hours and hours, and I'm glad it's paid off tonight.'
Fifth seed Jonny Clayton survived a tough contest against Martin Schindler to prevail 10-7, despite the German putting up better numbers for much of the contest.
Clayton's average was 99.60 compared to Schindler's 103.45 but the Welshman picked his moments to advance.
'I am here, I want to win this tournament,' Clayton said. 'Hopefully it is going to be my week. I love it when I pass the first round.'
Earlier 13th seed Gary Anderson saw off Luke Woodhouse 10-5 despite a spectacular 167 checkout from the Englishman.
Four seeds were sent home during Sunday's afternoon session as further shocks followed Saturday's exits of top seed Luke Humphries and eighth seed Nathan Aspinall.
Seventh seed Damon Heta fell to Andrew Gilding in a contest that went to overtime, with Gilding eventually prevailing 12-10 after a late fightback came to nothing for Heta.
Gilding advances to face Dirk van Duijvenbode, who saw off 10th seed Rob Cross 10-8 after rallying from 6-2 down in a remarkable contest.
Jermaine Wattimena beat 15th seed Peter Wright 10-8 while Mike De Decker beat 12th seed Dave Chisnall 10-7.
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England fans upset as Agyemang omitted from Royal Family photo
England fans upset as Agyemang omitted from Royal Family photo

Reuters

time21 minutes ago

  • Reuters

England fans upset as Agyemang omitted from Royal Family photo

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World Matchplay Darts 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Wade clashes Clayton before Littler takes on Rock in HUGE night of semis action
World Matchplay Darts 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Wade clashes Clayton before Littler takes on Rock in HUGE night of semis action

The Sun

time21 minutes ago

  • The Sun

World Matchplay Darts 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Wade clashes Clayton before Littler takes on Rock in HUGE night of semis action

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Sporting from Gerwyn Price as the pair share a long hug and a chat after Rock's wild celebration. Huge performance.

Gill & Rahul resist England push for victory
Gill & Rahul resist England push for victory

BBC News

time21 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Gill & Rahul resist England push for victory

Fourth Rothesay Test, Emirates Old Trafford (day four of five)India 358 (Sudharsan 61; Stokes 5-72) & 174-2 (Rahul 87*, Gill 78*)England 669 (Root 150, Stokes 141; Jadeja 4-134)India are 137 runs behindScorecard England still have work to do in order to win the fourth Test after some stoic India resistance on the fourth day at Old closed on 165-2, 137 behind thanks to a rearguard partnership between KL Rahul and Shubman tourists had been 0-2, but Rahul and captain Gill blunted an England attack shorn of Ben Stokes, who did not bowl all Stokes earlier completed his first hundred in more than two years to lift England to 669, their third-highest total in a home 141, to go with his 5-72 in the India first innings, made him only the fourth England man to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same up a deficit of 311 runs, India were in danger of being steamrollered when Chris Woakes removed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan in consecutive deliveries in the first over of the second 0-2, Rahul and Gill came together for a unbroken stand of 174 across almost 63 overs. Gill has 78, Rahul has the energy of talismanic all-rounder Stokes, England were bereft of penetration when the ball lost its hardness and pitch went to home side are still huge favourites for the win that would clinch the series, but India are clinging to hope of escaping Manchester with a draw.

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