“Live Blog Ian Tuckey, Digital sport journalist Updated: 21:47, 22 Nov 2024 THREE world champions have been eliminated from the Players Championship Finals as tonight’s thrilling action continues to unfold – but Luke Littler’s incredible run goes on! The 17-year-old millionaire whitewashed Rob Cross 6-0 in the first round of the iconic Minehead tournament. Luke”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
- Ian Tuckey, Digital sport journalist
- Updated: 21:47, 22 Nov 2024
The 17-year-old millionaire whitewashed Rob Cross 6-0 in the first round of the iconic Minehead tournament.
Luke Humphries also comfortably booked his spot in the next stage after slaying German giant Gabriel Clemens 6-2.
But Michael van Gerwen, Chris Dobey and Gerwyn Price all suffered shock early exits.
- Start time: From 12.45pm GMT
- Live stream: ITVX
- TV channel: ITV4
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- Today’s full schedule – with big test for LittlerLuke Littler vs Ritchie Edhouse looks today’s stand-out second-round clash today.
But world champion Luke Humphries and five-time Ally Pally king Raymond van Barneveld might have something to say about that – as they also meet in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, it will be intriguing to see if Ian White can maintain the astonishing form that saw him demolish Michael van Gerwen 6-1 yesterday.
White, 54, once reached the World Championship quarter-finals – 10 years ago – but his profile has faded since then.
The Stoke veteran will take on 28-year-old Belgian Mike De Decker, who also won 6-1 on Friday.
The third round follows tonight – with the last eight all the way to the final being played tomorrow (Sunday).
Second round – Saturday, 12.45pm-5pm:
Main Stage:
Kim Huybrechts v Scott Williams
Nathan Aspinall v Niels Zonneveld
Damon Heta v Krzysztof Ratajski
Daryl Gurney v Michael Smith
Raymond van Barneveld v Luke Humphries
Josh Rock v Jermaine Wattimena
Luke Littler v Ritchie EdhouseStage Two:
Cameron Menzies v Ryan Joyce
Dave Chisnall v Andrew Gilding
Jeffrey de Graaf v Thibault Tricole
Florian Hempel v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Mario Vandenbogaerde v Connor Scutt
Danny Noppert v Stephen Burton
Mike De Decker v Ian White
Ryan Meikle v Martin Schindler
Ross Smith v Wesley Plaisier - ‘Possibilities are endless’ for NukeCompliments for Luke Littler fly in faster than his 180s and crazier than his finishes.
And somehow, as the Nuke soars to new heights in double quick time, his admirers are keeping pace – as they raise the praise.
After a top-class night at the oche, peaked by Littler whitewashing World No 4 Rob Cross 6-0, the 17-year-old was called a”freak” and the “the best darting talent ever”.
His 112.73 match average is the second highest ever in the Players Championship Finals.
“Insane” is a word that keeps cropping up to describe the whizkid’s current ability, let alone his potential.
One viewer said of Cross’s defeat: “Averaging over 100 and getting beat 6-0. Littler is a machine. Mental to think he’s still only 17.”
Another said the Nuke “could genuinely get up to 2 in the world after Ally Pally [World Championships], absolutely insane in just a year”.
A third pointed to staggering stats: “6 nil Average over 112.7. 14, 14, 13, 15, 13 and 11 dart legs. Ridiculous!”
A fourth noted: “He said the other day he hadn’t picked up since the grand slam final lmao… this is ridiculous, the best darting talent ever and the possibilities are endless.”
And with computer games fan Littler looking so relaxed, a fifth observer added: “Just turns up takes the p*** then goes home to play fifa.”
- How the weekend action pans outLast night’s action made the Players Championship look even more appetising that we already thought it would be.
Here’s the format for the weekend.
Saturday, 12.45pm to 5pm
Main Stage – Eight 2nd round matches
Stage Two – Eight 2nd round matchesSaturday, 7pm to 11pm
Main Stage – Four 3rd round matches
Stage Two – Four 3rd round matchesSunday, 12.45pm to 5pm
Quarter-FinalsSunday, 7pm to 11pm
Semi-Finals and Final
- All the results from a night of shocks Can today’s action match the Friday thriller of a night?
We had a string of shocks including KOs for ex-world champions on a marvellous Minehead evening.
Thibault Tricole stunned Gerwyn Price but the biggest surprise was surely 54-yer-old Ian White walloping Michael van Gerwen 6-1.
Luke Littler’s 113-plus average in his 6-0 victory over World No 4 Rob Cross was the second highest ever in the tournament’s history.
And in arguably the match of the night, Gary Anderson was in mostly brilliant form yet saw Ryan Meikle graft back to nick a 6-5 win.
Main Stage:
Daryl Gurney 6-1 Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price 4-6 Thibault Tricole
Chris Dobey 1-6 Nathan Aspinall
Michael van Gerwen 1-6 Ian White
Luke Littler 6-0 Rob Cross
Luke Humphries 6-2 Gabriel Clemens
Gary Anderson 5-6 Ryan Meikle
Ross Smith 6-1 Dimitri Van den BerghStage Two:
Damon Heta 6-1 Mervyn King
Jonny Clayton 3-6 Florian Hempel
Danny Noppert 6-5 James Hurrell
Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 Chris Landman
Stephen Bunting 2-6 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Mike De Decker 6-1 Richard Veenstra
Michael Smith 6-5 Nick Kenny
Josh Rock 6-1 Ricky Evans - ”People might say I’m the best’Luke Littler is leaving it to others to say if he’s the top darts playeron the planet… well, sort of!
The Nuke crushed Rob Cross 6-0 in his Players Championship finals debut.
And afterwards he hinted at where his “high confidence” would place him in the world – while suggesting it might not be his job to spell it out.
He said: “In my first game of the Grand Slam, I sent out a real statement, that I am here to win. I’m very happy to get off the mark again here.
“My performance is good and my confidence is high. My hopes are very high for the Worlds. But I have to focus on Minehead first.
“Recent performances have shown why I should be favourite. On recent form, people might say that I’m the best in the world.”
- Littler trying to stay focused on MineheadLuke Littler turned on the style on a shocking night when several world darts champions bombed out of Butlin’s, writes ROB MAUL.
Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Stephen Bunting all crashed out of the first round of the Players Championship Finals on day one.
He passed £1m in prize money after beating Martin Lukeman 16-3 in the Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday.
Littler continued his stunning form after Sunday’s heroicsBut The Nuke – the overwhelming favourite for next month’s World Championship – showed his class with a 6-0 obliteration of Rob Cross in Minehead.
Littler, 17, sensationally averaged 112.73 – the second-highest average in the tournament’s history – and nailed six of his 10 checkouts, five days after his Grand Slam of Darts success.
The Warrington teen said: “It’s always good to start any major or competition well.
“My performance is good and my confidence is high. My hopes are very high for the Worlds. But I have to focus on Minehead first.”
- Saturday’s second-round actionHere’s how the darts action will look this afternoon.
Round Two – Saturday, 12.45pm-5pm:
Main Stage:
Kim Huybrechts v Scott Williams
Nathan Aspinall v Niels Zonneveld
Damon Heta v Krzysztof Ratajski
Daryl Gurney v Michael Smith
Raymond van Barneveld v Luke Humphries
Josh Rock v Jermaine Wattimena
Luke Littler v Ritchie EdhouseStage Two:
Cameron Menzies v Ryan Joyce
Dave Chisnall v Andrew Gilding
Jeffrey de Graaf v Thibault Tricole
Florian Hempel v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Mario Vandenbogaerde v Connor Scutt
Danny Noppert v Stephen Burton
Mike De Decker v Ian White
Ryan Meikle v Martin Schindler
Ross Smith v Wesley Plaisier - ‘It’s cut-throat now’ – HumphriesLuke Humphries sailed past Gabriel Clemens – but seems to think darts is now as brutal as being a pirate!
The World No 1 and Players Championship Finals title-holder next faces Dutch stalwart Raymond van Barneveld in Saturday’s second round.
Humphries said after beating German No 2 Clemens 6-2: “Every game you play now is cut-throat.
“If you rest on your laurels you will face defeat.
“And I think we’ve got to step up and start working harder, because if you don’t, there are other players that will take your place.”
- Littler dubbed a ‘freak’ and ‘best darting talent ever’Compliments for Luke Littler fly in faster than his 180s and crazier than his finishes.
And somehow, as the Nuke soars to new heights in double quick time, his admirers are keeping pace – as they raise the praise.
After a top-class night at the oche, peaked by Littler whitewashing World No 4 Rob Cross 6-0, the 17-year-old was called a”freak” and the “the best darting talent ever”.
His 112.73 match average is the second highest ever in the Players Championship Finals.
“Insane” is a word that keeps cropping up to describe the whizkid’s current ability, let alone his potential.
One viewer said of Cross’s defeat: “Averaging over 100 and getting beat 6-0. Littler is a machine. Mental to think he’s still only 17.”
Another said the Nuke “could genuinely get up to 2 in the world after Ally Pally [World Championships], absolutely insane in just a year”.
A third pointed to staggering stats: “6 nil Average over 112.7. 14, 14, 13, 15, 13 and 11 dart legs. Ridiculous!”
A fourth noted: “He said the other day he hadn’t picked up since the grand slam final lmao… this is ridiculous, the best darting talent ever and the possibilities are endless.”
And with computer games fan Littler looking so relaxed, a fifth observer added: “Just turns up takes the p*** then goes home to play fifa.”
- How the weekend action pans outFriday’s action made the Players Championship look even more appetising that we already thought it would be.
Here’s the format for the weekend…
Saturday, 12.45pm to 5pm
Main Stage – Eight 2nd round matches
Stage Two – Eight 2nd round matchesSaturday, 7pm to 11pm
Main Stage – Four 3rd round matches
Stage Two – Four 3rd round matchesSunday, 12.45pm to 5pm
Quarter-FinalsSunday, 7pm to 11pm
Semi-Finals and FinalWE’LL HAVE MORE WEEKEND DETAILS LATER…
- All the results – after a thrilling night of dartsWe’ve had a string of shocks and KOs for ex-world champions on a great night of darts at Minehead.
Thibault Tricole stunned Gerwyn Price but the biggest surprise was surely 54-yer-old Ian White walloping Michael van Gerwen 6-1.
Luke Littler’s 113-plus average in his 6-0 victory over World No 4 Rob Cross was the second highest ever in the tournament’s history.
And in arguably the match of the night, Gary Anderson was in mostly brilliant form yet saw Ryan Meikle graft back to nick a 6-5 win.
Main Stage:
Daryl Gurney 6-1 Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price 4-6 Thibault Tricole
Chris Dobey 1-6 Nathan Aspinall
Michael van Gerwen 1-6 Ian White
Luke Littler 6-0 Rob Cross
Luke Humphries 6-2 Gabriel Clemens
Gary Anderson 5-6 Ryan Meikle
Ross Smith 6-1 Dimitri Van den BerghStage Two:
Damon Heta 6-1 Mervyn King
Jonny Clayton 3-6 Florian Hempel
Danny Noppert 6-5 James Hurrell
Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 Chris Landman
Stephen Bunting 2-6 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Mike De Decker 6-1 Richard Veenstra
Michael Smith 6-5 Nick Kenny
Josh Rock 6-1 Ricky Evans - SMITH WINS! Ross Smith 6-1 Dimitri Van den BerghSmith’s fifth maximum underlined why he averaged around 103.
And again he dominated this leg on throw.
Smith raced was down to 71 with his rival on 245.
And he ruthlessly rounded off victory on his next trip to the oche.
- Ross Smith 5-1 Dimitri Van den BerghA 180 and a 140 confirmed Smith’s power scoring – this time against the throw.
And he was left requiring only 60 when VDB needed 144.
Smith took two doubles – to complete a 12-darter.
- Ross Smith 4-1 Dimitri Van den BerghSmith made it three 180s in the match with no maximum replies from Van den Bergh so far.
And he was left needing just 76 when the Belgian was on 227.
This time Smith took it out on his next oche visit.
- Ross Smith 3-1 Dimitri Van den BerghAnother 180 helped Smith double his advantage.
- Ross Smith 2-1 Dimitri Van den BerghSmith landed a maximum to leave him needing 107. with VDB still on 170.
But Smith missed three doubles – VDB then fluffing a 74 checkout.
Three more double flops came from Smith before his Belgian opponent, almost apologetically, saw it out to get himself on the scoreboard.
- Ross Smith 2-0 Dimitri Van den BerghAgainst throw, Smith got down to 87 with his rival struggling.
And the English ace narrowly missed a bull finish.
VDB then just failed with a 126 checkout on his third dart.
And Smith took out 25 in two shots for a break of throw.
- Ross Smith 1-0 Dimitri Van den BerghSmith landed a 78 checkout for a decent 15-darter.
Van den Bergh was stuck way out beyond 250.
- Bonus action – Ross Smith 0-0 Dimitri Van den BerghThis one wasn’t on the original schedule.
But it should be a high-class finale to the evening.
- ROCK ON A ROLL! Josh Rock 6-1 Ricky EvansNorthern Ireland star Rock blasted his way to a rapid victory over his English rival.
- RYAN MIGHTY WINS! Gary Anderson 5-6 Ryan MeikleIncredible drama in the final leg-decider of undoubtedly the match of the night
Meikle needed 170 and bagged a treble top to give himself hope of a stunning checkout but ultimately just bagged 100 from that visit to the oche, leaving himself needing 70.
Here;’s what victory looked like for MeikleAnderson then failed to checkout when just double top was required.
Meikle proceeded to miss a match dart himself.
And this is what the win looked like on the boardAmazingly, three more failures came from Anderson – meaning he wasted FIVE match darts in this leg.
And Meikle finally nicked in for the biggest win of his career.
- GOING ALL THE WAY! Gary Anderson 5-5 Ryan MeikleMeikle turned the tables by getting down to 47 against the throw, with Anderson on 50.
And the younger man took out Double top to take the leg – and so he will now throw for victory.
Stage Two: Josh Rock 1-0 Ricky Evans
- Gary Anderson 5-4 Ryan MeikleMeikle picked up a maximum as he stayed ahead on throw.
He cut a 170 target to 74, with Anderson going from 239 to 142.
Anderson reduced his target to Double 4.
But Meikle held his nerve to take out a double at his third attempt,
- Gary Anderson 5-3 Ryan MeikleDouble top for a 76 checkout put Anderson one throw from a brilliant yet still tight victory,
Meikle has made him work incredibly hard.
- Gary Anderson 4-3 Ryan MeikleMeikle checked out on 83 with a bull to close to within one leg.
He needed that – with Anderson breathing down his neck in this leg.