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A Week In Darts – April 2, 2024 – Humphries Storms To European Tour Title In Munich
Once again it was ‘the two Lukes’ grabbing all the headlines in the world of darts over the last week. Luke Littler claimed his first Premier League nightly win in Belfast on Thursday, while Luke Humphries was in scintillating form during his German Darts Grand Prix triumph on Monday. Here’s our round-up of all things darts in the last seven days…
HUMPHRIES STORMS TO EURO TOUR TITLE
Luke Humphries was in near-unplayable form as he won his sixth European Tour title at the German Darts Grand Prix on Monday.
The world number one delighted the sell-out crowd in Munich with a string of spectacular performances over the weekend to pick up his first ranking title since becoming world champion.
‘Cool Hand’ started his campaign with a 108.68 average as he beat Luke Woodhouse 6-3 on Sunday, before booking his spot in the final session with a 6-2 victory over Ryan Joyce, in a match which saw him average 111.63.
HUMPHRIES IS THE CHAMPION IN MUNICH 🏆
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 1, 2024
Darting brilliance from Luke Humphries as he averages 112.66 in an 8-1 demolition of Michael van Gerwen...
He wins the 2024 https://t.co/5fv4BT6bYk German Darts Grand Prix! pic.twitter.com/N49zJuGTyX
Humphries repeated that scoreline in the quarter-finals against Danny Noppert, where he averaged 107 to Noppert’s 106, and then saw off Gerwyn Price 7-3 in the semi-finals, as his average dipped to 99.93.
The Premier League leader saved his best for last, though, with an 8-1 thrashing of Michael van Gerwen in a battle of the world’s top two, averaging 112.66 and hitting eight doubles from just 13 attempts.
“I was just unbeatable there to be honest and I’m really, really proud of the way I’ve played this weekend,” Humphries said.
"Winning means a lot to me, but the way the fans have treated me will live long in the memory..."
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 1, 2024
Luke Humphries with a special word for the crowd after winning his sixth European Tour title! pic.twitter.com/5Go66kQOmz
“That’s the level you have to be at to win nowadays. I felt a little bit tired against Gezzy (Gerwyn Price) but I kept going and that final against Michael felt effortless, it felt good.
“To put in performances like that in finals is obviously really pleasing, but for me to pick up another European Tour title two years on since my first is really special.”
The European Tour continues with the International Darts Open in Riesa from April 12-14, but before then the ProTour heads to Leicester for Players Championships 7-8 on April 8-9.
LITTLER WINS FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE NIGHT
Luke Littler claimed his first nightly win in the Premier League after beating Nathan Aspinall 6-4 in the Night Nine final in Belfast on Thursday.
The 17-year-old picked up his first five-point haul of the season as he got the better of Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Aspinall in Northern Ireland.
A 125 finish (bull, outer bull, bull) was the highlight of the final which saw the teenager go level at 3-3, before winning three of the next four legs to secure the £10,000 nightly prize.
LITTLER THE BOSS IN BELFAST! 👏
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 28, 2024
It's a landmark night for Luke Littler, who secures his first nightly victory in the Premier League!
The teenage prodigy closes out a dramatic win over Nathan Aspinall to claim the Night Nine spoils! 🏆
📺 https://t.co/gbUt9q25Jh#PLDarts pic.twitter.com/33c8KKFI0v
The nightly title has seen Littler climb up to second in the Premier League table and on 18 points, just four points behind the current leader Humphries.
“I am so happy to win my first night,” Littler said. “I changed my throw tonight, just taking that little bit of extra time. I practiced a lot more tonight and it has paid off.
“We’re halfway (through the season) and there is a lot of work to do, but to win one night going into the second half of the season has really got my hopes up and gives me confidence.”
The Premier League season resumes with Night 10 in Manchester on Thursday (April 4), where Littler and van Gerwen face off in the pick of the quarter-final ties.
🗣️ "The big one is next week, I can't wait!" ☢️
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 28, 2024
Hear from Night Nine winner Luke Littler after his triumph in Belfast! pic.twitter.com/GH457gfmf7
PRICE MAKES HIS RUGBY RETURN
Gerwyn Price dusted off his rugby boots to take part in a testimonial match in Wales on Friday night.
‘The Iceman’ famously switched sports from rugby to darts where he has forged a successful career, winning the PDC World Darts Championship and becoming world number one in 2021.
Ahead of playing in the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich on Sunday night, the Welshman was back on the rugby pitch to be a part of a Neath Veterans XV, which also included former Wales internationals Arwel Thomas and Nathan Brew.
Price’s team came out on top with a 43-21 win against the Martin Jones Select XV, with the match raising £10,000 for former Neath and Cardiff rugby player Martin Jones, who is seriously ill.
Price wrote on Instagram: ‘What a great night playing with a great bunch of lads… almost had a try as well! Loved putting the boots back on but the engine was running on fumes!’
Shop our collection of Wales-themed darts and accessories.
Pictures: PDC