LUKE ‘The Nuke’ Littler is through to the semi-finals of the Dutch Darts Masters thanks to a revenge victory over world number one Luke Humphries.

The Warrington 17-year-old, defeated by Humphries in an epic World Darts Championship Final at Alexandra Palace 25 days ago, edged home 6-5 in a Cheshire derby staged in Den Bosch, The Netherlands.

It sets up a semi-final with Welsh ace Gerwyn Price, who defeated Dutchman Kevin Doets 6-3 in the second quarter-final.

Littler averaged 102.33 and hit five 180s in a gritty display that swayed to-and-fro.

Former Padgate Academy student Littler, who spent the early years of his childhood in Runcorn, got off to a great start, taking a two-leg lead.

But Humphries, who lives in Frodsham, found his groove to win four successive legs.

Then came a brilliant Littler fightback.

Two 180s at the start of the seventh leg, another in the eighth laid the foundation for ‘The Nuke’ to get it back to 4-4.

After going back in front, Littler missed two darts at double for the match as Humphries levelled matters again at 5-5.

In the decider, Littler left himself 88 and he checked out on the bullseye to clinch his semi-final place.

Littler said: “Happy with the way I played.

“I said earlier I had to put at least 10pts on that 90 average (from last night) and I did.

“I went 2-0 ahead and then I think I fell asleep for the next four legs but then I got back into it and I think I played well with my finishing and scoring. I’m happy.”

His semi-final will follow this evening, and Littler will Humphries again on Thursday when the 2024 Premier League season starts in Cardiff.