Latest news with #Women'sWorldMatchplay
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luke Littler 'annihilated' World Matchplay star's husband aged 12 after savage prediction
Women's World Matchplay star Lorraine Winstanley recalls seeing her husband lose to a 12-year-old Luke Littler before going on to work with the 2025 world champion Luke Littler 'annihilated' a PDC Tour star at the age of 12 to fulfil his pre-match prediction. Female darts star Lorraine Winstanley has recalled her first encounter with Littler, now 18, at a tournament on the Isle of Man. Her husband Dean Winstanley, who hit a nine-darter at the PDC World Championship in 2012, was the player who suffered the drubbing after The Nuke had confidently predicted a one-sided victory. Lorraine, who will be part of the Women's World Matchplay on July 27, recalled: 'He's absolutely annihilated my husband on the Isle of Man. I can't remember the format but whatever it was, Dean's leg tally was zero! 'I think Luke had said to him, 'I'm going to beat you 3-0.' And Dean was like, 'Yeah, alright mate,' but he did! He wasn't saying it in a cocky way, it was a statement, 'I'm going to beat you 3-0.' That's my first memory of him. 'I've known Luke a long time because we then played for England together. He's a lovely lad from a lovely family. He's just brilliant, isn't he?' Lorraine, as Target Darts' head of youth development, went on to work closely with Target-backed Littler and is proud of what the teenager has achieved in such a short period of time, including winning the world title in January. 'He's done an amazing job for darts across all ages,' said Lorraine, 49, who provides support and mentorship to the 30-odd players in the leading manufacturer's Elite 1 development programme. 'You can speak to anybody of any age and if they've not heard of Luke Littler, they've definitely been living under a rock. 'What Luke has done for the game is what Fallon [Sherrock] has done for the women's side of the game. When she had that really good run at the World Championship [making the final in 2024], it opened up the game to a whole different audience, people who weren't interested in darts. 'With Luke, it's exciting, it's a new face. He's burst onto the scene and he doesn't disappoint, does he? He came through from our Elite 1 programme. He's the perfect example of how the system works and we're on the lookout for the next superstar.' Lorraine is also proud of the way Littler has developed on and off the oche. Having been thrown in at the deep end with various media and commercial demands, he is now a more assured figure compared to the shyer teenager he was a couple of years ago. 'He has grown massively in his ability to deal with the media because he was thrown into the spotlight. I think he dealt with it really well,' said Lorraine, who faces Noa-Lynn van Leuven in the Women's Matchplay quarter-finals. 'You only have to look back at interviews he gave at the WDF World Championship, about three years ago. If you didn't ask a question that wasn't a yes or no answer, you didn't get a great deal from him. At the end of the day, he was a young teenage lad. 'Now, he's much more natural in front of the camera and speaks really well. He's grown massively, and he's had to do that overnight. Hats off to him for the way he's coped with it all.' Littler begins his Matchplay campaign against Ryan Searle on Sunday night as he looks to add one of the sport's biggest prizes to his growing collection.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Which bookies are offering Free Bets ahead of World Matchplay Darts
Defending champion Luke Humphries prepares to defend his title in Blackpool this week while the likes of Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Stephen Bunting all look to mount a challenge Darts fans are in for a treat as the 2025 World Matchplay kicks off with a mouthwatering clash between two Dutch legends. Michael van Gerwen, three-time champion, will lock horns with five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld in a first-round showdown that headlines the opening Monday of the tournament on July 21. The draw, revealed on Thursday, has thrown up several exciting match-ups for the iconic event at Blackpool's Winter Gardens. Among them is defending champion Luke Humphries, who begins his title defence on Saturday, July 19, against Dutch prodigy Gian van Veen—a player tipped for big things. All eyes will also be on world champion Luke Littler as he launches his campaign on Sunday night. Littler, who's quickly become one of darts' hottest properties, faces a tricky test against world number 19 Ryan Searle in what promises to be a high-octane encounter. The list of 32 qualifiers was finalised this week, but there was disappointment for former world champ Michael Smith. Despite reaching last year's semi-finals in Blackpool, Smith failed to secure his spot in this year's field—one of the tournament's biggest surprises. The action runs from Saturday, July 19 through to the grand finale on Sunday evening, July 27. Before that final curtain comes down, the Women's World Matchplay will also take centre stage earlier on the last day, giving fans a double helping of top-tier darts drama. With some of the sport's biggest names set to face off under the famous lights of the Winter Gardens, anticipation is building for another memorable week in Blackpool where legends are made and reputations are put to the test. Here are a selected number of free bets offers: New Customer Darts Free Bet Offers Sky Bet - Place Any Bet on Dartsand Get £30 in Free Bets Here is your guide on how to make the most out of this offer with Sky Bet: Click this link which will take you to the Sky Bet sign up page. Register your account and place a minimum deposit of £5 Sign up via the '£30 in free bets when you place any bet' promotion and place a minimum of 5p on your first bet on a single or each way bet on any Sky Bet market at odds of 1/1 or greater Free bets will be credited within 72 hours of qualified bet being settled Enjoy four £10 free bet tokens with Sky Bet - will expire after 30 days if left unused NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY. ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 4 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. FREE BETS EXPIRE AFTER 30 DAYS. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+. 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Register your account and use promo code ZSKAOG Place a minimum deposit of £10 using a Debit card or Apple Pay Place a qualifying bet of £10 at odds of at least 1/1 (2.00) on the Betfair Sportsbook Receive £50 Sportsbook free bet builders, accumulators or multiples will be awarded after the qualifying bet has been settled Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. William Hill - Bet £10 on Dartsand Get £60 in bonuses Click this link which will take you to the William Hill sign-up page Choose the Sports Welcome Offer Register your account and deposit minimum £10 into your account with 7 days of registration Place a £10 bet at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on any sports market Enjoy £60 in free bets 18+. Play Safe. New players using T60 code. Online only. Get £60 bonus split as follows: (i) Deposit £10. Get a £20 Vegas Bonus on selected games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); '(ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, get 4x£10 sports free bets (valid 7 days, excl. virtual sports). Payment & country restrictions & full T&Cs apply. LiveScore Bet - Bet £10 on Dartsand Get £30 free bets Click this link which will take you to the LiveScore Bet sign-up page Register your account and deposit minimum £10 into your account within 14 days of registration Place a £10 bet at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater than on selected sportsbook markets Accept the free bets via a pop-up notification within seven days of qualifying Enjoy £30 in free bets when the qualifying bet settles *New members only. Any new account registration or bets settled on 5 April 2025 are not eligible for this Welcome Offer. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. 18+ More Free Bets offers Be sure to look at the Mirror Betting Hub's Free Bets page where you have all the latest free bets offers from the biggest online bookmakers and more. More than 30 bookies have new customer offers which will be catered for every sporting event whether that is horse racing, football, darts, tennis and more. Gamble responsibly Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit
Metro
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
World Matchplay Darts draw sees legends collide in Blackpool
Dutch legends Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld meet in the opening round of the World Matchplay, in one of a string of standout ties in Blackpool. Five-time world champion Barney is still competing at 58 years old and remains hopeful that he can win his first Matchplay title, although he faces a man 22 years his junior who has won it three times. One of the highlights of the darts calendar runs from July 19-27 this year at the Winter Gardens, with the winner leaving Blackpool with a £200,000 top prize. The Matchplay sees the top 16 in the world rankings drawn against the top 16 on the PDC's Pro Tour Order of Merit, so it is a field boasting quality and form. Defending champion and world number one Luke Humphries has a very tough opening test against Gian van Veen. As ever there will be plenty of attention on Luke Littler, with the Nuke taking on Ryan Searle in his first round match. The world champion is playing in the Matchplay for only the second time and is looking to pick up his first win in the famous old tournament. There are attractive ties throughout the draw, with other standouts including James Wade playing Joe Cullen, Ross Smith taking on Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price meeting Daryl Gurney. (1) Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen(16) Danny Noppert v Cameron Menzies(8) Nathan Aspinall v Wessel Nijman(9) James Wade v Joe Cullen(4) Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce(13) Gary Anderson v Luke Woodhouse(5) Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler (12) Dave Chisnall v Mike De Decker (2) Luke Littler v Ryan Searle(15) Peter Wright v Jermaine Wattimena(7) Damon Heta v Andrew Gilding(10) Rob Cross v Dirk van Duijvenbode(3) Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld(14) Ross Smith v Josh Rock(6) Chris Dobey v Ricardo Pietreczko (11) Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney The Women's World Matchplay is also played on the final Sunday of the tournament, July 27. More Trending The event features eight players coming in at the quarter-final stage as Beau Greaves plays Kirsi Viinkainen, Lisa Ashton meets Robyn Byrne, Noa-Lynn van Leuven takes on Lorraine Winstanley and Fallon Sherrock faces Gemma Hayter. Greaves lifted the trophy last year, beating Sherrock in the final. Saturday July 19 7pmJames Wade v Joe CullenDanny Noppert v Cameron MenziesLuke Humphries v Gian van Veen Nathan Aspinall v Wessel Nijman Sunday July 20 1pmDamon Heta v Andrew GildingRob Cross v Dirk van DuijvenbodePeter Wright v Jermaine Wattimena Dave Chisnall v Mike De Decker 7pmGary Anderson v Luke WoodhouseJonny Clayton v Martin SchindlerLuke Littler v Ryan Searle Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce Monday July 21 7pmChris Dobey v Ricardo PietreczkoGerwyn Price v Daryl GurneyMichael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld Ross Smith v Josh Rock Tuesday July 22 Second Round – 7pmHumphries/Van Veen v Noppert/MenziesAspinall/Nijman v Wade/CullenBunting/Joyce v Anderson/Woodhouse Clayton/Schindler v Chisnall/De Decker Wednesday July 23 Second Round x4 – 7pmLittler/Searle v Wright/WattimenaHeta/Gilding v Cross/Van DuijvenbodeVan Gerwen/Van Barneveld v Smith/Rock Dobey/Pietreczko v Price/Gurney Thursday July 24 Quarter-Finals – 8pm Friday July 25 Quarter-Finals – 8pm Saturday July 26 Semi-Finals – 8pm Sunday July 27 Final – 8pm MORE: Luke Humphries fires back at criticism of Luke Littler partnership MORE: Luke Littler and Luke Humphries 'let their country down' and 'don't deserve MBEs' MORE: Gerwyn Price lifts lid on England's 'rubbish' World Cup of Darts performance
