03 January 2024 , 21:41
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Luke Littler was dubbed "spiteful, nasty and dirty" after a stunning 122 checkout in his World Darts Championship final clash with Luke Humphries.
The 16-year-old darts sensation stunned his opponent when landing two triple 18s before checking out with a double seven. He celebrated by pursing his lips as Wayne Mardle, providing commentary for Sky Sports, waxed lyrical about his abilities.
"That could be the one, that could be the one that breaks the number one's heart, look at his (Humphries) face. Look at his face," said Mardle. "That was just spiteful, that was dirty, that was nasty, that was everything that Luke Littler wanted to do!"
Littler is just one win away from making history at Alexandra Palace, where he has dominated against the likes of Rob Cross, Brendan Dolan and Raymond van Barneveld en route to the final.
Momentum in the final swang back in forth with the world number one, Humphries, starting the brighter of the two before Littler enjoyed a spell on top.
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Littler even found himself one dart away from going 5-2 ahead, but in the end, Humphries was just a little too good for the teenager and after racking up a staggering 23 180s, he reeled off five successive sets to claim the Sid Waddell trophy with a 7-4 win.
Luke Humphries came out on top (PA)Humphries, 28, said after the win: "I'm not going to lie – that winning double eight was shaking in my hand and I was fortunate to see it go in.
"Luke is an incredible player and an incredible talent. He is going to win plenty of these, I'm sure. You'll never see another 16-year-old like him – he's already one of the best players in the world."
Littler added: "It's been unbelievable. I lost too many legs against the throw and I'm sorry I couldn't give the crowd what they wanted."