“Red Light, Green Light.” Unfortunately for Luke Littler, there have been more red lights than green ones in recent oche clashes. Can the young tungsten terror rediscover the spark that saw him scorch a path to the World Championship Final in January?
He and the other seven darting deities head to Newcastle Utilita Arena for the 4th chapter of the 2024 Premier League saga.
Embed from Getty ImagesLuke Littler – The Rise to Stardom
Luke Littler became a national sensation during his unbelievable run at the 2024 PDC World Championship. The then 16-year-old despatched the likes of Raymond van Barneveld & Rob Cross en route to the Final. Despite losing 7-4 to an in-form Luke Humphries, Littler had left an indelible mark on the darting scene and was under discussion all over the country. Sales of darts rocketed, and many were dreaming their children would follow in ‘The Nuke’s’ example (the regular Kebab cravings aside).
Many thought the Warrington whippersnapper would be unable to cope with the media furore that followed. However, he continued to show great composure and mental toughness, amazingly reaching back-to-back World Series Finals in Bahrain and the Netherlands. He would win his first major title in Bahrain, hitting a 9-darter and a 170 checkout during the event, before beating Michael van Gerwen 8-5 in the Final. MVG avenged that loss in the Dutch Darts Masters Final the following week, but it didn’t diminish Littler’s performance.
Embed from Getty ImagesLittler Joins the Premier League Party
The PDC made a brave decision choosing Littler as one of the eight 2024 Premier League players on the back of his World Championship showing. They knew it would rake in the money and ratings, but it could have backfired if the youngster, now an ageing 17, failed to deliver the goods.
They were not fretting for too long though, as far from freezing on his Premier League debut in Cardiff, he would thrash Luke Humphries 6-2 in his opener. Then pushed Michael Smith all the way during their semi, before losing 6-5, but averaging a stunning 105 in defeat. ‘The Nuke’ impressed once again in Berlin during ‘Night 2’, reaching the Final, but missed darts at his beloved double-10 allowing van Gerwen to clinch victory.
Littler didn’t seem to have let it faze him though as just 4 days later he would go on to win the first Players Championship event of the year. Showing great focus and stamina to beat seven opponents in the space of 5 hours and hitting ANOTHER 9-darter. What a difference a day would make though, as Littler would bow out in the second round of the Players Championship to Cork bus driver, Radek Szaganski.
Can Littler Handle the Pressure?
The doomsayers started circling, proclaiming that the Littler express had finally run out of steam. ‘The Nuke’s’ display in ‘Night 3’ of the Premier League in Glasgow seemed to back up their claims. He would lose at the opening Quarter-Final stage for the first time this year to Gerwyn Price and uncharacteristically showed signs of frustration when beaten.
Back in Players Championship action earlier this week, Littler would bow out at the 5th hurdle on Monday to Callan Rydz and then lost his opener on Tuesday to James Wade. So, the intriguing poser now arises ahead of Premier League – Night 4 this Thursday. Will the young darting sensation soar or struggle on the Newcastle oche?
Embed from Getty ImagesOne positive for Littler is that he locks horns with Peter Wright in his Premier League opener this week. If there is one player you would want to face right now when you are not on your A-game, it is Snakebite. The Scot has been out of form for a lengthy spell now and is pointless in the Premier League so far, winning just 9 legs in total. Littler is then set to face Price or MVG in the semis. Which is when the real test hits. It’s edge of your seats stuff and why the PDC bosses were desperate to have the youngster involved every week.
Catch all the live Premier League Darts – Night 4 matchups from 19:00 this Thursday on Sky Sports Action.
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Image Credit: Deposit Photos
