2025 Players Championship Finals Day 2 Round-Up & Results: Littler, Aspinall, Price & Rock Reach Quarter-Finals

The race for the 2025 Players Championship Finals title tightened considerably on Saturday as Luke Littler, Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price and Josh Rock all sealed their places in Sunday’s quarter-finals after a gripping evening in Minehead.

With momentum swings, outrageous finishes and late collapses across both stages, the tournament is now set for a blockbuster final day. Following a chaotic afternoon session where Chris Dobey, James Wade, Jermaine Wattimena and Daryl Gurney came through the third round, the evening slate delivered an even heavier dose of drama.

Littler Shifts Gears to Power Past Pietreczko

World No.1 Luke Littler advanced with a controlled but entertaining 10-6 victory over Ricardo Pietreczko, navigating a tight opening half before pulling clear in typically explosive fashion.

Locked at 5-5 after the second interval, Littler flicked the switch only he seems to possess. When Pietreczko missed a crucial dart to level at 6-6, the teenager punished him immediately and ruthlessly reeling off four consecutive legs to close the match.

The moment of the night? A ridiculous 121 finish executed via bull, treble 7, bull, greeted by a roar from the Butlins crowd. Six 180s, a 102.67 average, and supreme composure in the closing stages made it clear; Littler is playing like a champion determined to lift this trophy.

Aspinall Edges Noppert in a Gritty Classic

Nathan Aspinall and Danny Noppert delivered exactly what their recent form suggested: a stubborn, tactical arm-wrestle where neither man was willing to give an inch.

Aspinall started the better, then fell behind, dragged it level at 5–5 and used the third mini-session to stamp his authority. Legs of 12 and 15 darts helped him stretch out a lead before Noppert briefly reignited the contest with a sparkling 112 checkout.

But Aspinall has built a career on surviving these types of battles. He held strong in the closing exchanges and hit double 18 to complete a 10-8 win, booking a Sunday showdown with Josh Rock.

Price Recovers to See Off Schindler

Gerwyn Price endured a rocky start against Martin Schindler, sharing the opening ten legs and appearing frustrated with both his own game and the crowd. But the former World Champion eventually rediscovered his rhythm and once he did, the German had no way back.

From 5-5, Price exploded into life: heavy scoring, firmer control of the tempo and a majestic 161 checkout to break Schindler’s resistance. A 10-6 scoreline reflected a performance that began awkwardly but ended emphatically.

The Welshman averaged just under 99 and looked increasingly comfortable as the match progressed, a worrying sign for the rest of the field.

Rock Survives Late Ratajski Charge

What looked like a routine victory for Josh Rock nearly unravelled completely. After falling behind 2-1 early, Rock blitzed Krzysztof Ratajski with seven straight legs, surging into an 8–2 lead and seeming destined for a straightforward finish.

But Ratajski wasn’t done. Capitalising on missed doubles and a sudden wobble from Rock, the Pole stitched together a run of six legs to pull within one at 9-8.

Rock, though, steadied himself at the death. A calm final leg sealed a 10-8 win, avoiding what would have been one of the biggest comebacks of the tournament. He now prepares for a quarter-final clash with Nathan Aspinall in what promises to be a ferocious scoring battle.

Stage Two: Favourites All Book Their Sunday Spots

The Stage Two produced its own share of drama, with several tight affairs.

Chris Dobey 10–5 James Hurrell

Chris Dobey found the afternoon far more straightforward than his earlier match, jumping out to a 7-3 lead and never letting Hurrell back in. A calm, clinical 10-5 victory secured a quarter-final meeting with Littler.

James Wade 10–6 Andrew Gilding

James Wade kept his hopes of another major title alive with a familiar storyline: fast start, mid-match wobble, then restored order. Gilding kept chipping away, but Wade always seemed to have that extra half-gear, eventually closing it out 10-6.

Jermaine Wattimena 10–8 Ryan Searle

Ryan Searle raced into a 4-1 lead before Jermaine Wattimena turned the contest on its head. The Machine Gun upped the aggression, found his scoring rhythm and finished the stronger man to seal a 10-8 comeback win.

Daryl Gurney 10–9 Adam Lipscombe

It was heartbreak for debutant Adam Lipscombe. He led 5-3 and 8-5, but missed ten match darts across two legs as Daryl Gurney dragged the match all the way to a decider. Experience told in the final leg, with Superchin slamming the door and sneaking into the last sixteen.

2025 Players Championship Finals Day 2 Round-Up & Results

Full Results – Saturday (Evening)

Third Round (Main Stage)

• Chris Dobey 10–5 James Hurrell
• James Wade 10–6 Andrew Gilding
• Jermaine Wattimena 10–8 Ryan Searle
• Daryl Gurney 10–9 Adam Lipscombe

Third Round (Stage Two)

• Luke Littler 10–6 Ricardo Pietreczko
• Nathan Aspinall 10–8 Danny Noppert
• Gerwyn Price 10–6 Martin Schindler
• Josh Rock 10–8 Krzysztof Ratajski

Find out where how to follow the 2025 Players Championship Finals here