Luke Littler wins yet another World Matchplay after defeating Gerwyn Price 18-9
Tonight, the current World Champion takes on the former World Champion for the World Matchplay title, the Phil Taylor trophy and another £225,000 to add to the £775,000 already accumulated. Littler vs Price. The Nuke vs The Iceman.
Littler flew through his semi-final game against Dirk Van Duijvenbode, beating the Dutchman 17-5, whilst Price beat Gian Van Veen 17-10. Littler is the favourite, but never count The Iceman out.
Littler vs Price – as it happened
The first leg went the way of Littler after a lukewarm first battle. However, Price responded in the second by throwing the first 180 of the match, to which Littler instantly responded. Price, of course, responded with a 177 and a leg of his own.
It’s 3-1 Littler; he’s taken out a 167. Treble 20. Treble 19. Bull. Moments before, the commentators pointed out that he hasn’t yet hit the bull this tournament. He is inevitable. Price isn’t playing badly; Littler is just that good. If The Iceman wants to avoid being left behind, he’s going to need to step up his game. We go into the first break, Littler 4-1 up.
First leg after the break and Littler’s on a 9-darter. He couldn’t manage it at the last hurdle, but he’s come out all guns blazing; that’s four legs on the bounce. He’s just so precise; he hits where he aims, and when he misses he’s still hitting 20s. His average is 116 to Price’s ‘measly’ 105. He goes for the 167 again to make it six legs on the bounce but finds his final dart just a stray. Price takes his second leg. Game on. 6-2.
Luke Littler sets 3 records in World Matchplay final victory
We go into the second break at 7-3. Price is still in this match. He needs to make sure that when he’s getting these shots at a finish, he’s taking them. Price’s average is up to around 107, but Littler is just short of a whopping 122.
Both players come out with a 180. Littler takes out a 128. The kid’s unstoppable. 8-3. He follows it up by taking out a 127. 126 next? That’s his fifth 100+ finish in nine winning legs. Nope, it was a 97, but close. 10-3 84 with a bull finish. Gerwyn Price can’t help but laugh. Littler’s chasing Phil Taylor’s 114.99 average record. Price takes leg 15 but finds himself 11-4 down as we enter the third break.
Price takes his fifth leg. Littler replies. At this point, there isn’t much to say. Littler is getting to a finish quicker with the sheer abnormal quantities of treble 20s and then finishing quickly when he gets there. It’s devastatingly lethal. 13-5 Littler. We’re on 16 maximum visits and most of them have gone the way of young Luke. 14-5 Littler. I’m pretty sure he’s finished most of these legs in twelve or fewer darts. Price gets one back just before we head into the fourth and potentially final break. 14-6 Littler.
Gerwyn Price misses out on Phil Taylor trophy
Price has come straight out of the blocks with a 180; he needs to mount this comeback now if it’s going to happen at all. Littler’s just nearly taken out a 170. Littler fails to finish a 25 and Price punishes. 14-7. This should have been Price’s leg, but Littler gets one closer to the Phil Taylor trophy. Price hits back, 15-8. Price is playing brilliantly tonight, but it’s still only good enough to keep within arm’s reach of Littler.
Price takes back-to-back legs. 15-9. He’s throwing excellently. He’s had three of the last four legs, and he’s started punishing Littler’s mistakes. Of course, the Englishman comes back with a 148 finish to take us into the fifth break. That’s the first mini-session Price has won, and he’s going to have to do it again if he wants to make it to the sixth break. Littler is only three legs away.
Littler comes flying out, hitting maximums at will; Price almost hits back with a 170 checkout, but Littler takes the leg. He’s one away. That should have been Price’s leg. It had to be Price’s leg. It’s merely a matter of time now. 81 to finish it. 17, 14 and a bull to finish.
Littler is not only the back-to-back World Champion but the back-to-back World Matchplay champion. That’s the highest ever average put up in a World Matchplay final, the highest ever competition average and the most competition 180s ever, just another day in the office.
Price was impeccable, but Littler was and is unstoppable. It was a great game between two of darts’ greatest. Still, I don’t think Gezzy will be too disappointed leaving Blackpool with £900,000; I certainly wouldn’t be.
