In a night brimming with tension and top-tier darts action in Nottingham, Luke Humphries emerged victorious over teenage sensation Luke Littler in a dramatic semi-final clash. Humphries secured his place in the nightly final with a stunning 128 checkout in a nail-biting last-leg decider, marking his first nightly final appearance of the 2026 season. He will face Jonny Clayton in the eagerly anticipated final, after Clayton also navigated his way through the quarter-finals.
Humphries Clinches Thrilling Victory Over Littler
The semi-final encounter between world champion Luke Humphries and darts prodigy Luke Littler was a spectacle of skill and nerve. Humphries, known as ‘Cool Hand Luke’, initially built a commanding 5-2 lead, appearing to be cruising towards the final. However, Littler, with his characteristic resilience, mounted a formidable comeback, clawing his way back into the match and pushing it to a deciding leg.
With the pressure at its peak, Humphries showcased his championship pedigree. In the final leg, needing a high finish to win, he executed a magnificent 128 checkout. This typically involves hitting two treble 20s (60 points each, totaling 120) and then a double 4 (8 points) to precisely reach the required score. This clinical finish not only secured him the win but also denied Littler a chance to complete his comeback, sealing Humphries’ spot in his first nightly final of the 2026 Premier League Darts season.
Quarter-Final Action: Clayton and Bunting Shine
The road to the final saw several compelling quarter-final matches. Jonny Clayton, nicknamed ‘The Ferret’, also delivered a strong performance, securing his victory and advancing to face Humphries in the final. The details of his match were not as dramatic as the Humphries-Littler clash, but his consistent play ensured his progression.
Another notable performance came from Stephen Bunting, who started his quarter-final match strongly. While the full outcome of his progression isn’t detailed, his initial strong showing highlighted the competitive nature of the Nottingham event. Unfortunately, for fans of darts stalwarts Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen, their journeys in Nottingham concluded earlier than hoped, with both experiencing early exits from the tournament.
Source: Based on an article from News – Dartfreakz.nl.
