Luke Littler narrowly misses out on World Matchplay Darts record after beating Ryan Searle in 16 MINUTES
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
LUKE LITTLER came close to breaking the World Matchplay average record as he blitzed Ryan Searle in just 16 MINUTES!
The teen sensation won his first-ever clash on the Winter Gardens stage, smashing Heavy Metal 10-2 in Blackpool on Sunday.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Luke Littler blitzed Ryan Searle in just
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
2
The teen sensation won his first-ever clash on the Winter Gardens stage
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Littler delivered an average of 108.92, just short of Phil Taylor's 114.99 - but after five legs was flying at 121.21 per three darts.
He said: 'It's been an up and down season so far. World Cup didn't go to plan for me and Luke (Humphries), tough conditions.
'But now it's the Matchplay and you're battling it out with the best in the world.'
Littler flew out of the blocks, ripping into a 5-0 lead in just SEVEN MINUTES and hitting five out of six shots on the doubles.
READ MORE ON LUKE LITTLER
LUK AT THAT Littler reveals new look for World Matchplay Darts as fans are left divided
It took Searle six legs to get a double on the board after The Nuke piled on the pressure including a 126 checkout but his finishing just dipped off slightly in the latter stages.
Littler told Sky Sports: "I was well up for it tonight, I just wanted to get that win, get that winning feeling and I did it.
"I'm so glad to get that win, get that winning feeling and I can't wait to come back.
"I felt very comfortable, I have been practising so much. I've just been putting in hours and hours. I'm glad it's paid off.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
"All eyes are on me now, just take it game by game… I can't wait to get back on stage."
Gary Anderson also put in a comprehensive showing to secure a 10-5 win over Luke Woodhouse.
Anderson progresses to play Stephen Bunting, who scraped through with a 10-8 win against Ryan Joyce.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
18 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Maddie Feaunati set to bring 'Kiwi flair' to 2025 Rugby World Cup
The back row has risen to prominence since making her Red Roses debut last year, having moved from New Zealand to Devon in 2023. The 23-year-old was born in Leeds and spent half of her childhood in England as her dad Isaac Fe'aunati represented Leeds Tykes and Bath but is now making her own name in rugby. 'Maddie Feaunati has come on the scene a little bit later,' former England captain Hunter explained. 'She signed for Exeter Chiefs and has come across from New Zealand. 'But she grew up in England when her dad Zak Fe'aunati was playing for Bath and Leeds, so she speaks openly about how she wants to play for England, she grew up with rugby here and started playing rugby here. 'She brings that typical New Zealand way of playing, getting ball in hand early and makes things happen. 'Generally, we will see her in wider spaces, using footwork to beat people, great athletic ability, great pace. The new Women's Rugby World Cup trophy is looking good... 😎#RWC2025 | #ThisEnergyNeverStops 'It adds to the brand of rugby that we want to play, that fast type of game, she has got that skillset, whether she is putting someone else into space. 'It takes a lot for people to run through her as well.' Feaunati is expected to be named to England's World Cup squad ahead of the tournament starting in Sunderland on 22 August. Exeter's Sandy Park will host their first match of the tournament the next day when England take on France, the first of seven matches at the stadium. Hunter will be involved at the World Cup as England's defence coach having swapped playing for coaching in 2023. She was part of the first cohort of the Gallagher High Performance Academy, a World Rugby initiative to increase the number of female coaches in elite rugby. Hunter was embedded with England for their victorious WXV campaign, and 16 more coaches will get an opportunity to work with their unions at the World Cup. England's most-capped player added: 'They place you with your union at a tournament, so you can fully embed and put all those learnings into practice. 'Having that opportunity to have that support right from the beginning has been a huge benefit to me.' Gallagher is Right Here for Rugby; Right Here for Business; and Right Here for You.
Scottish Sun
18 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Same incompetence every time' – Scotland fans left raging at ticket shambles that forces SFA to CANCEL all sales
The SFA have released a statement on the issue TICKET FARCE 'Same incompetence every time' – Scotland fans left raging at ticket shambles that forces SFA to CANCEL all sales SCOTLAND fans have been left fuming after a ticket cock-up saw all sales for the trip to Denmark CANCELLED. The SFA started to sell briefs for the World Cup qualifier away to the Danes on September 5 this morning. 2 Steve Clarke aims to lead Scotland to the World Cup Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 Scotland fans are not happy with ticket shambles Credit: Rex But hours later they informed all members of the Scotland Supporters Club who had managed to secure seats that their tickets were no longer valid. Hampden chiefs blamed a "technical error" that allowed fans who didn't have enough points to buy tickets in the sale that was meant to be restricted to those with between 32 and 21 points. An SFA message explaining the issue said: "The Scottish FA is aware of a technical error that occurred during this morning's ticket sale for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifying match against Denmark, which allowed purchase by some Scotland Supporters Club (SSC) members who were not eligible during the window that was reserved for those with 32-21 Points. "As a result, we will regrettably need to restart the sales process from scratch in the interest of fairness, with any purchase that was made today being cancelled and refunded. "The new sale will commence at 10am on Wednesday, 23 July. "The SFA would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to supporters." The news angered many fans, with some complaining that the new sale time could mean they now miss out on a ticket. One fan said: "How hard is it for them to do the right thing first time. "They've had a week to set it up? And only have to do it 5 times a year... It's the same incompetence every time." Another fan said sarcastically: "Ahhh great! Working tomorrow afternoon when tickets go on sale to those on 20+ points and above which means it'll be harder for me to get my ticket. Cheers." Inside ex-Celtic and Scotland star's £3m property empire as free agent spends almost £1m on two properties in St Andrews While a third fan groaned: "This country cannot do anything right." The away trip to Denmark kicks off Scotland's World Cup qualifying campaign. Three days later Steve Clarke's men are on the road again when they face Belarus - with the game to be played in Hungary. They then have a home double header against Greece and Belarus on October 9 and 12. A trip to Greece is next on November 15 before the campaign ends at Hampden Park against the Danes on November 18. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The Sun
19 minutes ago
- The Sun
Darts star Daryl Gurney ‘held back by security' in furious backstage row with Gerwyn Price
GERWYN PRICE and Daryl Gurney were involved in angry backstage scenes after their World Matchplay bust-up. The pair ended their clash with a fiery ruckus on Monday night with the Welshman aggressively grabbing his rival's hand. 1 But it kicked off behind-the-scenes with Gurney having to be restrained by security as Price did his post-match interview with talkSPORT. Damian Vlottes, from the Dutch Darts Draait Door podcast, said: 'Gurney was literally at the door with his head round the corner. 'Two security guards had to hold him back. He clearly wanted to confront Price again. He came in swearing.' Former top player Vincent Van der Voort added: 'He was ready for a nice, friendly chat! 'He was absolutely fuming. Still insisting he did nothing wrong, that it was all on Price. 'I only spoke to Daryl afterwards. All he said was, 'I didn't do anything wrong.' He was angry, really angry. There was no calm conversation. He made it clear he's not a fan of Price. 'But I imagine Price would say the opposite. There's so much emotion involved. I don't mind it though, adds spice to the sport. As long as it doesn't turn physical, this sort of tension has its place.' The players have history of aggro and the contest, won 10-7 by Price, became more feisty as it progressed. Gurney was clearly winding up the Welshman with mocking gestures and facial expressions. Price responded with his typical super-loud leg-winning celebration roars. The first flashpoint came immediately after the match concluded. Vlottes said: 'He gave him the handshake, very firmly. I thought it was a fantastic moment to watch. Then Price said something, Gurney looked taken aback and stormed off the stage. You could see how intense it was. 'You could tell Gurney was already starting to wind things up. Constantly provoking.' Van der Voort added: 'There was a bit of mimicking, body language… you could feel the tension rising between them. 'He was at it throughout, gesturing, little games. That's fine. But to blow up like that straight after the match… clearly a lot of bottled-up frustration. It's unfortunate, but at least we've got something to talk about now.' Despite the incident dominating social media and on Sky Sports, Price asked not to be questioned about Gurney in the post-match press conference. Vlottes continued: 'No questions about it were allowed. We had plenty lined up, but we were told not to ask. That wasn't the journalists, it was the PDC's decision.' Van der Voort added: 'That's where they fall short, in my opinion. It's a shame. Sport is emotion, and this sort of thing happens in every sport.' Price did touch on the subject, saying: 'I've learnt to try and keep my emotions in tact at key points sometimes. I did today in two or three legs where my head was going to blow off. I just had to keep it in.' Price did later post on his Instagram story: 'Have to be careful these days I'm down to light cruiser weight.' In amongst all the aggro, Michael van Gerwen made a light-hearted attempt to calm down the situation. Van der Voort said: 'He came out of the players' room, he had to play next and said, 'Come on lads, calm down' in the corridor.' It's not the first time the pair have clashed, they have had previous rows in the Premier League which started at Sheffield in 2019 and had to be separated by security on that occasion.
