‘You spiteful young man!’ 😅| Littler hits SIX 100+ finishes as he retains Matchplay title

Luke Littler didn’t just reclaim the World Matchplay title in Blackpool—he dismantled Gerwyn Price with a display of darting precision that left the defending champion shell-shocked. The 17-year-old’s 18-9 demolition was built on six 100-plus finishes, a statistical masterclass that underscored why this youngster is already rewriting the record books. Price, a two-time champion, never recovered from Littler’s relentless pressure, and by the final leg, the Welshman’s body language screamed resignation.

Littler’s ruthless efficiency leaves Price in tatters

Price’s first set of the match offered a glimmer of hope—he took the opening leg with a 101 checkout—but Littler responded by winning the next three to seize control. The teenager’s composure under pressure was breathtaking; he converted three separate 100-plus finishes in the opening session alone, each one a dagger twist in Price’s side. By the interval, Littler led 9-3, and the deficit felt terminal.

Price’s struggles weren’t just about Littler’s brilliance. The champion missed crucial doubles, including a 121 finish that would have steadied his ship. Littler, meanwhile, punished every error with clinical precision. His sixth 100-plus checkout came in the 15th leg, a 116 finish that sealed the match mathematically. The crowd’s roar was matched only by the stunned silence in Price’s corner.

Blackpool’s stage set for a new darts dynasty

This wasn’t just a victory—it was a coronation. Littler’s win makes him the youngest World Matchplay champion in history, a record that shatters the previous benchmark set by Phil Taylor in 1995. The Blackpool crowd, never shy about embracing new talent, erupted every time Littler stepped up to the oche, their chants of “There’s only one Luke Littler!” echoing through the Winter Gardens.

The venue itself has become a fortress for the teenager. Littler’s first World Matchplay title came here last year, and his return was met with a standing ovation. Price, by contrast, looked like a man playing in quicksand. His inability to replicate his usual aggression—he averaged just 92.17 compared to Littler’s 101.45—spoke volumes about the psychological toll of facing a prodigy in his prime.

What comes next for the darting sensation?

Littler’s next challenge is already looming: the World Darts Championship in December. With this victory under his belt, he’ll enter Alexandra Palace as the bookmakers’ overwhelming favourite. But the teenager’s ambitions don’t stop there. His manager has hinted at a potential switch to the PDC’s elite tour, a move that could see him dominate the circuit for years to come.

Price, meanwhile, faces a crossroads. At 36, he’s no longer the young pretender, and Littler’s rise forces him to confront a brutal truth: the torch has been passed. His post-match comments—acknowledging Littler’s “incredible” performance—were gracious, but the damage was done. The question now is whether Price can rediscover the form that made him a two-time champion, or if Littler’s generation is destined to rewrite the sport’s hierarchy entirely.

One thing is certain: Blackpool will remember this night for decades. Littler didn’t just win a title—he announced the dawn of a new era. And if the way he dispatched Price is any indication, the rest of the darting world should start bracing for impact.