Littler sends a statement in Cardiff and says catch me if you can ” I hadn’t picked up my darts since last Thursday”

Luke Littler won his third nightly game and hit his third nine-darter in the 2025 BetMGM Premier League on Night Seven, cruising to victory in Cardiff.

The young wonder won gold in a thrilling final against Michael van Gerwen, averaging 112.5 and landing ten 180s in addition to his stunning nine-darters.

Littler’s nine-darter, following Luke Humphries and Rob Cross’s perfection in Brighton two weeks ago, equals the Premier League record of three in a single season after only seven weeks of activity.

Littler struck in the fourth leg of the final and finished in an unusual fashion, scoring 141 with treble 20, treble 17, and double 15.

In a high-quality match, it was Van Gerwen who rebounded after Littler’s miraculous moment, easily levelling the score at 3-3.

Littler then broke back to lead 4-3, only for Van Gerwen to tie at four apiece.

Littler began another leg with a 180, breaking the Van Gerwen throw to come closer to victory, and he repeated the trick with his tenth 180, his 22nd of the night, in an 11-darter to secure the title in Cardiff.

“I had been playing very well but I must admit I hadn’t picked up my darts since last Thursday,” confessed Littler.

“I had no idea that nine-darter was in, I just had to wait for Huw [Ware] to call it.

“I just want to get to The O2 as quickly as possible. I am aiming for another 21 points, and I have put myself in a really good position.

“I said last year I didn’t care about finishing top, but as I am there now I may as well stay here!”

Littler’s run to triumph began with a 6-3 victory over stablemate Nathan Aspinall, who averaged just over 102.

This was followed by another outstanding performance, as he defeated Rob Cross 6-2, posting a 107.67 average in the process.

Cross had previously created his own moment of magic, spoiling Gerwyn Price’s party on home turf with a magnificent 170 finish in a last-leg tiebreaker after the Welshman had come back from 5-2 down.

Van Gerwen began his run to the final with an impressive comeback victory over Luke Humphries, rebounding from 3-0 down to send the world number one out of the quarterfinals for the third time in a row.

In other news, Stephen Bunting lost 6-2 to Chris Dobey in the evening’s opener, extending his unlucky streak of seven consecutive defeats.

Dobey was unable to capitalise on his success, as he was defeated 6-1 in the semi-finals by Van Gerwen, who secured his position in the Night Seven battle with Littler.

The 2025 BetMGM Premier League action continues next Thursday in Newcastle, marking the midway point of the league season.

Littler sends a statement in Cardiff and says catch me if you can 

Night Seven – Thursday March 20

Utilita Arena, Cardiff

Quarter-Finals

Chris Dobey 6-2 Stephen Bunting

Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Luke Humphries

Luke Littler 6-3 Nathan Aspinall

Rob Cross 6-5 Gerwyn Price

 

Semi-Finals

Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Chris Dobey

Luke Littler 6-2 Rob Cross

 

Final

Luke Littler 6-4 Michael van Gerwen