Latest news with #RyanSearle
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I'm glad it's paid off' – Luke Littler reveals gruelling new training regime that saw him almost break darts record
LUKE LITTLER came close to breaking the World Matchplay average record as he blitzed Ryan Searle in just 16 MINUTES! The teen sensation won his first-ever clash on the Winter Gardens stage, Advertisement 1 Luke Littler came close to another record after beating Ryan Searle in 16 minutes on Sunday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The 17-year-old said: 'I'm just so glad to get that win here. I wanted to just get it done. 'I felt very comfortable. I've been practising so much. I've not done much on social media. I've just been putting in the hours and hours. 'I'm glad it's paid off tonight. It's been two hours a day. Advertisement READ MORE ON DARTS 'I was here watching Luke (Humphries) last night. I just wanted to come here and get another feel for it. 'I'm still a fan, I'll still come and watch, even if I'm not playing on the night.' Littler flew out of the blocks, ripping into a 5-0 lead in just SEVEN MINUTES and hitting five out of six shots on the doubles. It took Searle six legs to get a double on the board after The Nuke piled on the pressure including a 126 checkout but his finishing just dipped off slightly in the latter stages. Advertisement Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Littler's opponent in the last 16 will be Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena who beat 2021 champion Peter Wright 10-8. Littler lost to Michael van Gerwen on his Blackpool debut in 2024 but his showing against 'Heavy Metal' was simply spectacular. Luke Littler reveals gruelling new training regime that saw him almost break darts record The reigning world champion is renowned for his lack of practice on the board outside of tournaments, often not throwing darts in between being on the stage. Advertisement But Littler is determined to add this major to his cabinet. If he does, he completes the darting 'Triple Crown' of the World Matchplay, World Darts Championship , and Premier League. That is fate only completed by Taylor, Van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries. World Matchplay Darts 2025 BLACKPOOL will be the home of darts for the next week as the World Matchplay returns! There has already been huge drama in round one of the tournament with SIX of the 16 players already out. A new champions is now also guaranteed after Luke Humphries crashed out in his tournament opener against Gian van Veen. There will be darts action every night this week ahead of the big final on Sunday. LIVE - Follow all the action from the World Matchplay 2025 INFO Full schedule and results Prize money LATEST NEWS
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
‘I'm glad it's paid off' – Luke Littler reveals gruelling new training regime that saw him almost break darts record
LUKE LITTLER came close to breaking the World Matchplay average record as he blitzed Ryan Searle in just 16 MINUTES! The teen sensation won his first-ever clash on the Winter Gardens stage, smashing Heavy Metal 10-2 in Blackpool on Sunday night. 1 Littler delivered an average of 108.92, just short of Phil Taylor's 114.99 - but after five legs was flying at 121.21 per three darts. The 17-year-old said: 'I'm just so glad to get that win here. I wanted to just get it done. 'I felt very comfortable. I've been practising so much. I've not done much on social media. I've just been putting in the hours and hours. 'I'm glad it's paid off tonight. It's been two hours a day. 'I was here watching Luke (Humphries) last night. I just wanted to come here and get another feel for it. 'I'm still a fan, I'll still come and watch, even if I'm not playing on the night.' Littler flew out of the blocks, ripping into a 5-0 lead in just and hitting five out of six shots on the doubles. It took Searle six legs to get a double on the board after The Nuke piled on the pressure including a 126 checkout but his finishing just dipped off slightly in the latter stages. Littler's opponent in the last 16 will be Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena who beat 2021 champion Peter Wright 10-8. Littler lost to Michael van Gerwen on his Blackpool debut in 2024 but his showing against 'Heavy Metal' was simply spectacular. Luke Littler reveals gruelling new training regime that saw him almost break darts record The reigning world champion is renowned for his lack of practice on the board outside of tournaments, often not throwing darts in between being on the stage. But Littler is determined to add this major to his cabinet. If he does, he completes the darting 'Triple Crown' of the World Matchplay, World Darts Championship, and Premier League. That is fate only completed by Taylor, Van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luke Littler hammers Ryan Searle on World Matchplay debut
Luke Littler stormed through to the second round of his debut World Matchplay with a 10-2 rout of Ryan Searle. Littler, the second seed on his first appearance at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, looked like a man in a hurry as he jumped out to a 6-0 lead. And although Searle was able to get on the board late on, there was never going to be any way back against Littler, who averaged nearly 109. 'I was well up for tonight,' Littler said on Sky Sports. 'I wanted that win, to get that winning feeling and I've done it in some standard.' After revealing earlier this week he had failed his driving theory test for a fourth time, Littler said he has not been doing his homework for that as he has been keeping his focus on his game, adding: 'I've got a competition to focus on.' 'I've been practising so much,' he said. 'Obviously I've not put much on social media but I've been at home putting the hours in, hours and hours, and I'm glad it's paid off tonight.' World number four Stephen Bunting survived a dogfight with Ryan Joyce to advance with a 10-8 victory. Joyce came from 8-4 down to level the contest at 8-8 when Bunting appeared to be distracted while looking to close out from 45, and was then a whisker away from going 9-8 up as he narrowly missed double five. Bunting responded with a 180 and then checked out from 41 to secure his progress, but could not hide his frustration. 'I'm so disappointed,' he said. 'We had a battle last year. Thankfully I've not gone the distance this year and I've saved a bit of energy for the next round. We go on, we're in the next round.' Fifth seed Jonny Clayton survived a tough contest against Martin Schindler to prevail 10-7, despite the German putting up better numbers for much of the contest. Clayton's average was 99.60 compared to Schindler's 103.45 but the Welshman picked his moments to advance. 'I am here, I want to win this tournament,' Clayton said. 'Hopefully it is going to be my week. I love it when I pass the first round.' Earlier 13th seed Gary Anderson saw off Luke Woodhouse 10-5 despite a spectacular 167 checkout from the Englishman. Four seeds were sent home during Sunday's afternoon session as further shocks followed Saturday's exits of top seed Luke Humphries and eighth seed Nathan Aspinall. Seventh seed Damon Heta fell to Andrew Gilding in a contest that went to overtime, with Gilding eventually prevailing 12-10 after a late fightback came to nothing for Heta. Gilding advances to face Dirk van Duijvenbode, who saw off 10th seed Rob Cross 10-8 after rallying from 6-2 down in a remarkable contest. Jermaine Wattimena beat 15th seed Peter Wright 10-8 while Mike De Decker beat 12th seed Dave Chisnall 10-7.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Luke Littler narrowly misses out on World Matchplay Darts record after beating Ryan Searle in 16 MINUTES
LUKE LITTLER came close to breaking the World Matchplay average record as he blitzed Ryan Searle in just 16 MINUTES! The teen sensation won his first-ever clash on the Winter Gardens stage, smashing Heavy Metal 10-2 in Blackpool on Sunday. 2 Luke Littler blitzed Ryan Searle in just Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 The teen sensation won his first-ever clash on the Winter Gardens stage Credit: Shutterstock Editorial He said: 'It's been an up and down season so far. World Cup didn't go to plan for me and Luke (Humphries), tough conditions. 'But now it's the Matchplay and you're battling it out with the best in the world.' Littler flew out of the blocks, ripping into a 5-0 lead in just SEVEN MINUTES and hitting five out of six shots on the doubles. READ MORE ON LUKE LITTLER It took Searle six legs to get a double on the board after The Nuke piled on the pressure including a 126 checkout but his finishing just dipped off slightly in the latter stages. Littler told "I'm so glad to get that win, get that winning feeling and I can't wait to come back. "I felt very comfortable, I have been practising so much. I've just been putting in hours and hours. I'm glad it's paid off. Most read in Darts CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "All eyes are on me now, just take it game by game… I can't wait to get back on stage." Anderson progresses to play Luke Littler shows off new look for World Matchplay Darts as fans are left divided
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Luke Littler narrowly misses out on World Matchplay Darts record after beating Ryan Searle in 16 MINUTES
LUKE LITTLER came close to breaking the World Matchplay average record as he blitzed Ryan Searle in just 16 MINUTES! The teen sensation won his first-ever clash on the Winter Gardens stage, smashing Heavy Metal 10-2 in Blackpool on Sunday. 2 Littler delivered an average of 108.92, just short of Phil Taylor's 114.99 - but after five legs was flying at 121.21 per three darts. He said: 'It's been an up and down season so far. World Cup didn't go to plan for me and Luke (Humphries), tough conditions. 'But now it's the Matchplay and you're battling it out with the best in the world.' Littler flew out of the blocks, ripping into a 5-0 lead in just SEVEN MINUTES and hitting five out of six shots on the doubles. It took Searle six legs to get a double on the board after The Nuke piled on the pressure including a 126 checkout but his finishing just dipped off slightly in the latter stages. Littler told Sky Sports: "I was well up for it tonight, I just wanted to get that win, get that winning feeling and I did it. "I'm so glad to get that win, get that winning feeling and I can't wait to come back. "I felt very comfortable, I have been practising so much. I've just been putting in hours and hours. I'm glad it's paid off. "All eyes are on me now, just take it game by game… I can't wait to get back on stage." Gary Anderson also put in a comprehensive showing to secure a 10-5 win over Luke Woodhouse. Anderson progresses to play Stephen Bunting, who scraped through with a 10-8 win against Ryan Joyce.
