Luke Littler lights up the palace, while Noppert departs on night seven of 2024 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.

Luke Littler Delights The Crowd Once More

Following his demolition over Christian Kist, the teenage sensation returned to Alexandra Palace less than 24 hours after the famous win, to defeat Andrew Gilding 3-1 in the second round.

A slow start from The Nuke saw an early break for Gilding, this followed back to back holds from the players including a fantastic 130 checkout from Andrew Gilding. The best was yet to come in the set with a 13 dart hold from Luke Littler to take the opening set.

The fantastic doubling from Luke Littler disappeared in set two, with Littler missing doubles in early on in the set which lead to Gilding leading 2-1. Goldfinger missed two set darts in both leg four and five and Littler punished with and made sure Gilding knew about it with a huge roar when he secured the set.

Luke Littler went off the stage for a break after the set, and he struggled with his form upon his return and 2023 UK Open champion punished with every opportunity he was given and won the set 3-0 to reduce the deficit to one set.

The fourth set produced the lowest standard of the game, with no leg won under five visits but it was Luke Littler who found the finishing touch winning three out of four legs to seal another huge victory.

Shaggy Eases Past Noppy

A finishing masterclass by Scott Williams saw him knock out seventh seed Danny Noppert with a 3-0 win to book his place in the last 32.

Four breaks of throw, before a hold of throw from Scott Williams saw Shaggy take the opener. That doesn’t tell the full story thought, with Noppy opening up the game with a big fish, before checkouts of 127 and 106 from Scott Williams completed a trio of big checkouts in the opener.

Williams wasn’t finished with the ton plus checkouts as he swooped in with a 104, after Noppert missed bull for a 161 out to level the scores after two legs. Nothing to split the pair meant, we had a decider once more and Scott Williams made the most of missed set darts from Noppert to double his lead.

Scott Williams nearly gave the crowd a moment of utter brilliance, after hitting eight perfect darts, before coming inside on the 18’s. He cleaned up the leg and then only had to wait two more legs before sealing the victory.

Clemens Returns To Palace With a Win

Last year’s Semi Finalist Gabriel Clemens was back to winning ways at Alexandra Palace with a 3-1 win over surprise package Man Lok Leung.

A well supported Clemens eased to a one set lead and he completed the set in style with a 140 checkout to get the crowd up off their seats.

The early signs of set two looked like Man Lok Leung was fighting his way back into the game, taking the open leg before a Clemens break back with a 120 checkout. That wasn’t the only Shanghai finish from Clemens in the set as he took it out once more in the fifth and deciding leg of the second set to double his lead.

Man Lok Leung opened up the third set with a 126 checkout to hold in convincing style. That was a trend setter for the third set of this game with Leung eases to a whitewash set to keep the game alive.

Gabriel Clemens was able to complete the victory in the fourth set with a whitewash set for himself, and he will return after Christmas for a third round tie against Dave Chisnall.

Heat Ousts Lukeman

Australian number one Damon Heta continued his fine year by booking a place in the last 32 with a win over Martin Lukeman

The first set saw five straight holds of throw which meant Damon Heta took the opener, including a 180 in a 15 leg hold of throw in the decider to seal the opener.

An early break from The Heat in set two, with a fantastic double 16 hit, after moving across the oche after blocking the bed with the first two darts. Heta dominated the rest of the set and limited Lukeman to just two darts at a double, and a double break for The Heat meant he lead 2-0.

Martin Lukeman found his best form of the game in set three, and he had opportunity to win it three, however a missed dart meant he had to wait till leg four to win his first set of the game. That was as good as it got for Lukeman with Heta completing the victory in set four.

2023/24 Paddy Power World Darts Championship

Thursday December 21

Evening Session (1900 GMT)

4x Second Round

Luke Littler 3-1 Andrew Gilding (3-2, 3-2, 0-3, 3-1)(R2)

Scott Williams 3-0 Danny Noppert (3-2, 3-2, 3-1) (R2)

Gabriel Clemens 3-1 Man Lok Leung (R2) (3-1, 3-1, 0-3, 3-0)

Damon Heta v Martin Lukeman (R2) (3-2, 3-0, 1-3, 3-0)