Darts: Luke Humphries beats Luke Littler to win Players Championship final

[Pelican Press 0]

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Darts: Luke Humphries beats Luke Littler to win Players Championship final

World number one Luke Humphries defended his Players Championship title with an 11-7 win over teenager Luke Littler in Minehead.

Humphries, who beat Littler to win the world title in January, averaged 103.69 and punched the air with delight as he came out on top again in Minehead.

The 29-year-old, who has also won the World Matchplay this year, is only the second player after Michael van Gerwen to defend the Players title.

It was a third big final involving the pair after Littler beat Humphries to win the Premier League in May.

Littler was seeking his 11th title in an extraordinary debut season as a professional and second major TV ranking triumph this month after claiming the Grand Slam trophy a week ago.

Backed by a boisterous Butlins crowd, the 17-year-old was fancied to get the better of Humphries, who had not looked at quite his brilliant best during the tournament in Somerset but stepped up a level in the final.

“I’m really proud of that one because I didn’t feel myself this week playing-wise,” said Humphries, who repeatedly lifted the trophy to the crowd as confetti rained down on him.

“There’s something Luke does to you, he really drives me and makes me want to be a better player. I enjoy playing him.”

Humphries had to recover from 6-2 down to beat Dirk van Duijvenbode 11-8 in the semi-finals after earlier seeing off Ryan Joyce 10-5.

“I was very fortunate against Dirk but I rode my luck, got into the final and I was in my comfort zone,” he added.

“These big games are what I live for, what I dream of, being a major champion is what I do it all for.

“If you go by stats Luke is easily the best player in the world, but there’s something about me that never gives up.

“He’s made me a bit hungrier, to practice more, to try a bit ******* because if no-one sticks with him, he’s going to win everything. I do believe we are the two best players in the world.”

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