Littler Through, Humphries Unhappy At Nz Masters

1 month ago

Frank Keogh

BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Luke Littler is chasing a 3rd consecutive title but was made to activity for his spot successful nan New Zealand Masters quarter-finals.

The world champion, who has conscionable won nan World Matchplay and Australian Masters successful succession, was acold from his champion successful beating Kiwi Mark Cleaver 6-4 to scope nan past 8 successful Auckland.

England's Littler, 18, won nan first 3 legs but was pegged backmost astatine 4-4 aft immoderate sloppy darts earlier recovering to clinch victory.

The teenager, who averaged 95.60 and did not deed a 180, faces World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker connected Saturday successful a rematch of past week's last successful Australia.

Luke Humphries began his defence of nan New Zealand title - nan 2nd limb of nan World Series of Darts Oceanic double-header - pinch a 6-3 triumph complete Haupai Puha.

But Humphries admitted he is not happy pinch really he is playing aft besides failing to people a maximum and averaging conscionable 89.47.

"I'm retired of sorts and retired of form. I don't deliberation I've had 1 bully crippled successful 2 months," said nan Englishman, who won nan Premier League astatine nan extremity of May.

"I cognize I tin bounce back. It's 1 of those things you spell done successful sport."

The world number 1 hit Damon Heta successful nan last to triumph past twelvemonth and they will look each different again aft nan Aussie thrashed Dean Hyland 6-1.

Top seed Stephen Bunting, aiming to adhd to his victories astatine nan Bahrain Darts Masters and Nordic Darts Masters earlier this year, progressed past Ben Robb 6-3.

Welshman Gerwyn Price missed double 12 for a nine-darter and averaged much than 103 arsenic he edged retired Jonny Tata 6-4 to group up a quarter-final against Northern Ireland's Josh Rock.