Latest news with #MarkCleaver
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Luke Littler's sensational '222-game streak' comes to an end at New Zealand Darts Masters as teenager bids for more success
Darts star Luke Littler saw a sensational 222-game streak come to and end in the early hours of Friday morning - despite winning his first round match at the New Zealand Darts Masters. Fresh from winning the Australian version of the tournament last week, Littler is heavy favourite to lift the crown in Nerw Zealand on Saturday, having qualified for the quarter-finals after beating Mark Cleaver. Eight top players from the PDC are pitched against some of the biggest stars from the area, and all of the PDC men came through their first round draws to set up a mammoth Saturday in their bids to become champion. Littler will take on Mike De Decker in the last-eight, but will be looking to start another streak after one came to an end in his match against Cleaver. The 18-year-old is known as one of the most brutal 180 hitters in the game, and had, according to Polish outlet Laczy Nas Dart, hit a 180 in his last 222 matches - but failed to do so against Cleaver. His average was also below his usual standards, standing at 95.6, but he progressed with relative ease. He hit 140 or more on eight separate occasions during the best of 11 game, with 100 or more arriving 14 times. Littler appeared to be in a comfortable position at 3-1, but Cleaver brought it back to 4-4. Littler, though, saw the game out and won 6-4. £100,000 is up for grabs at the tournament, with the prize pot boosted by £40,000. The winner will receive £30,000, up £10,000 from last year. After his win, meanwhile, Littler spoke on his battle with Luke Humphries for the world No 1 spot, saying: 'Luke knows what he's got to do. But I don't think he has to put much pressure on himself. 'I know myself I'm right behind him. It wouldn't surprise me if he won everythng and defended all his prize money, I think I'm defending £200,000 at the Worlds, I won that at the Matchplay, but I am focusing on going back to back.'
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Luke Littler's incredible 222-game streak finally comes to an end as he fails to keep up impressive feat
LUKE LITTLER saw an incredible 222-game streak come to an end at the New Zealand Darts Masters. Littler was in action in the Auckland contest against Mark Cleaver in the last-16. 2 2 However, the world champion saw a colossal streak of his come to an end. Littler, 18, managed to scrape a 6-4 win against his Kiwi opponent. But, according to Polish outlet Łączy Nas Dart, for the first time in an incredible 222 matches, the Nuke failed to land a maximum score of 180. The Warrington teen still hit an impressive average of 95.6 in the round one clash, but found the 180 to be elusive. Littler threw scores of more than 100 14 times, while hitting more than 140 on eight occasions. He also hit six of his 13 checkouts, but saw his highest go up to 80. Having led 3-1 over Cleaver, 57, Littler survived a late comeback scare at 4-4. Littler's opponent in the quarter-finals is Mike De Decker. There is £100,000 up for grabs at the New Zealand Darts Masters following an increase in the total pot of £40,000. The winner will subsequently pocket £30,000, up from the £20,000 awarded to the victor. Luke Littler in fiery reaction to crowd during Australian Darts Masters win over Damon Heta
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
New Zealand Darts Masters 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Action on NOW as Luke Littler faces Cleaver, Humphries vs Punha UPDATES
THE New Zealand Darts Masters is underway in Auckland with some huge names taking to the oche! Teenage sensation Luke Littler is eyeing the Oceanic double after the Nuke won the Australian Darts Masters last weekend. The world champion gets underway in Auckland against Aussie Mark Cleaver. World No1 Luke Humphries returns as the defending champ after he beat Damon Heta 8-2 in the 2024 final to land his maiden World Series title. Today, 06:59 By Connor Greaves Good morning and welcome to SunSport's live blog of the New Zealand Darts Masters! Luke Littler will feature in Auckland as he looks to claim the Oceanic double after last week's triumph in Australia. The Nuke gets his tournament underway against Aussie Mark Cleaver at around 11am this morning. Littler has been in fine form of late and hasn't tasted defeat since the start of June, when he lost in the semi-finals of the Poland Darts Masters to Stephen Bunting. World No1 and defending champion Luke Humphries also features in Auckland as he begins his title defence against Haupai Puha. The next two days in New Zealand promise to be thrilling and SunSport will bring you all the action right here.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
New Zealand Darts Masters 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler faces Cleaver in Auckland opener, Humphries vs Punha LATEST
THE New Zealand Darts Masters gets underway in Auckland TODAY with some huge names taking to the oche! Teenage sensation Luke Littler is eyeing the Oceanic double after the Nuke won the Australian Darts Masters last weekend. The world champion gets underway in Auckland against Aussie Mark Cleaver. World No1 Luke Humphries returns as the defending champ after he beat Damon Heta 8-2 in the 2024 final to land his maiden World Series title. 8 minutes ago By Connor Greaves Good morning and welcome to SunSport's live blog of the New Zealand Darts Masters! Luke Littler will feature in Auckland as he looks to claim the Oceanic double after last week's triumph in Australia. The Nuke gets his tournament underway against Aussie Mark Cleaver at around 11am this morning. Littler has been in fine form of late and hasn't tasted defeat since the start of June, when he lost in the semi-finals of the Poland Darts Masters to Stephen Bunting. World No1 and defending champion Luke Humphries also features in Auckland as he begins his title defence against Haupai Puha. The next two days in New Zealand promise to be thrilling and SunSport will bring you all the action right here.
