Luke Littler has edged closer to a potential record by securing his sixth nightly win in the Premier League Darts season, overcoming a challenging 6-5 victory against Josh Rock. The match, held at Sheffield's Utilita Arena, marked the final regular season event before the highly anticipated Finals Night at London's O2 Arena. This win solidifies Littler's dominant performance throughout the season, despite facing a tough opponent in Rock.
The teenage prodigy, who had his impressive 10-match winning streak broken by rival Luke Humphries in Birmingham the previous week, appeared to be below his usual standard in this outing. Nevertheless, he managed to clinch the crucial win, demonstrating resilience under pressure. Littler, a two-time world champion, had previously secured three consecutive nightly wins in Liverpool, Aberdeen, and Leeds, showcasing a remarkable consistency that has set him apart.
Premier League Darts Week 16 Performance
In his opening match of Night 16, Littler's performance saw his average dip below 90. However, he demonstrated his clutch ability by leveling the score at 4-4 with an 11-dart finish. This crucial double secured parity, preventing Rock from gaining a decisive advantage.
Josh Rock, the 25-year-old from Northern Ireland, fought valiantly, pushing the match to a decider at 5-5. Rock required thirteen attempts at the double to force the final leg, highlighting the intense battle and the pressure on both players. Ultimately, Littler held his nerve to secure the win, advancing to a semi-final clash against either Luke Humphries or Michael van Gerwen.
Finals Night Lineup and Implications
The Sheffield event also saw Jonny Clayton, who had already secured his Finals Night berth and a second-place finish in the league standings, lose 6-3 to Stephen Bunting in the quarter-finals. Bunting's performance earned him a spot in the semi-finals, where he is set to face Gerwyn Price.
Gerwyn Price, known as 'The Iceman', had a commanding victory, defeating Gian van Veen, the runner-up of the 2026 World Championship, with a decisive 6-2 scoreline. Price sealed his win with an impressive 112 checkout, demonstrating his formidable scoring power and accuracy under pressure.
Defending champion Luke Humphries had already secured his spot in the Finals Night after winning the previous week's event in Night 15, where he defeated Price in the final. This marked Humphries' first nightly win of the current season. The placings for Finals Night were finalized, with Littler, Clayton, Price, and Humphries confirmed as the top four contenders heading to the O2.
