Luke Littler was left disappointed by the behaviour of the Glasgow crowd after edging out world No 1 Luke Humphries to win night two of the betMGM Premier League.
The reigning world champion beat Humphries 6-5 at the OVO Hydro, winning the last two legs to secure the night victory and jump to second in the season-long standings.
Littler’s success was overshadowed by crowd whistling, initially aimed at Humphries after also affecting Gerwyn Price earlier in the evening, leading to match referee Kirk Bevins having to intervene over the microphone mid-match.
Gerwyn Price whistles back at the Premier League crowd in Glasgow after many whistles and jeers were aimed at the Iceman during his match with Luke Humphries
“Yeah, obviously, there was a few in particular that were doing it [whistling] when Luke [Humphries] was throwing,” Littler said after his victory.
“Kirk [Bevins, match referee] told them to be quiet and it got even worse, and then I missed doubles and Luke breaks at 5-4.
“I’m just like, ‘Kirk, you’ve made it worse for me there, I’m 5-4 down.’ But I broke back and held my throw very strongly again.
Luke Littler shares his thoughts after his dramatic 6-5 victory over Luke Humphries in Glasgow
“If it’s the same (outcome) as what it was when Kirk said it, then obviously just leave it. Obviously, they’ve got to step in at some point and say something. But yeah, that was pretty bad, but I got the win.”
How ‘The Nuke’ battled back to claim Glasgow win
Littler came back from the brink of a quarter-final exit to win the second night of the competition. The youngster found himself 5-1 down to Rob Cross before roaring back to win 6-5 and then he found top form in the semi-final to dismiss Michael van Gerwen 6-2.
Watch how Luke Littler came from 5-1 down to beat Rob Cross 6-5 in Night Two of the Premier League in Glasgow
On his rivalry with the Dutchman, who beat him last week in Belfast, Littler said: “It’s just the case of we both want to win.
“I think everyone knows that I’m a quick starter, and that’s probably second time that I’ve got a massive lead on Michael.
Watch highlights of Luke Littler’s semi-final victory over Michael van Gerwen in Night Two of the Premier League in Glasgow
“And then, obviously Michael got a few legs on the board, but I was just too good for him. Especially losing in the way I did last week, I just wanted to put it right this time. That’s what I did. I got more points on the board and then I beat Luke.”
Littler took nine weeks last year to get his first night win, before going on to win the tournament outright, with the reigning world champion happy to make his mark early this year.
betMGM Premier League table after Night Two
“During that I was always fourth, fifth, every week and I was picking up the points,” Littler added about last year’s slow start. “But to pick up maximum points on week two is really good.”
What’s next?
The Premier League continues with Night Three at the 3Arena, Dublin on Thursday February 20 as Bunting meets Humphries in the evening’s opener, while reigning champion Littler takes on 2023 runner-up Price. Watch Night Three of Premier League Darts from the 3Arena, Dublin, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+.
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