Teenager Luke Littler delivered a masterclass in darts as he hit a spectacular nine-darter and averaged an incredible 112.5 to defeat seven-time champion Michael van Gerwen in the Premier League Darts Night 7 final in Cardiff. The 18-year-old's performance has solidified his lead in the league standings and further cemented his reputation as one of the sport's brightest talents.

The Nine-Darter Moment

Littler's perfect leg came at a crucial moment in the match, though even he was uncertain whether his final dart on double 15 had landed correctly. After a tense pause, referee Huw Ware confirmed the score, sending Littler into rapturous celebration. This marks his third televised nine-dart finish—and his second in the Premier League—highlighting his consistency under pressure.

Match Highlights

• Final Score: Littler 6-4 Van Gerwen
• Averages: Littler (112.5) vs. Van Gerwen (101.41)
• Checkouts: Littler converted 42.9% of his doubles, while Van Gerwen hit 50%.

The match was a thrilling exchange of breaks, with the two players trading blows in a high-scoring affair. Van Gerwen, making his first final appearance of the year, put in a strong performance, but Littler's sheer scoring power proved decisive.

Premier League Standings Update

With this victory, Littler now sits six points clear at the top of the table, all but guaranteeing his place in the play-offs at London's O2 Arena in May. Meanwhile, Luke Humphries suffered another quarter-final exit, losing 4-6 to Van Gerwen despite an early lead.

Night 8 Preview: Newcastle

The action continues in Newcastle on 27 March, where the league reaches its midway point. The fixtures will be determined by the current standings, with Littler set to face eighth-placed Stephen Bunting. Other key matchups include Rob Cross vs. Gerwyn Price and Humphries vs. Chris Dobey.

Premier League Format Recap

• 16-week league stage: Players earn 2 points per quarter-final win, plus bonus points for semi-final and final victories.
• Top 4 advance to the O2 Arena play-offs.
• Tie-breakers: If players are level on points, nights won and match wins decide standings.

Littler’s dominance raises the question: can anyone stop him from claiming the Premier League title in his debut season?