Luke Littler was beaten for the fifth consecutive time by Gerwyn Price on the third night of the Premier League.
The third night for darts’ elite is taking place in Dublin with current champion Littler looking to capitalise on his victory in Glasgow last week.
GettyPrice ousted Littler in the quarter finals in Dublin extending his streak[/caption]
‘The Nuke’ had the crowd on his back on this occasion, with Price receiving vocal support from the crowd in Ireland.
And it was Price who got the better of the teenage sensation edging the clash 6-4 on the night.
‘The Iceman’ averaged 102 in another stellar display over Littler, which was his fifth consecutive win against the world champion.
Price has had success against Littler dating back to last June where he began with victories in the US Darts Masters and Australian Darts Masters.
This year, he has also had the beating of Littler, eliminating him from the Bahrain Masters and in this month’s Players Championship 2.
Now he has rounded off his run with his latest win, and is in sensational form.
The Welshman will take on Luke Humphries in the semi-finals.
Littler had a difficult start to the match, not carrying last week’s form into the nightly contest.
Despite winning the first leg, Price put together a run of four consecutive legs, using his scoring power to race into a 4-1 lead.
But the misfiring Englishman can never be counted out, and responded in dramatic fashion.
He first pinned a sensational finish to end the streak, before an eleven-dart leg which took Price’s lead to a more slender margin at 4-3.
The tension was at its maximum, as Littler missed a double-top to even the contest up, but Price capitalised.
He instead took his opportunity and moved into a 5-3 lead, a crucial turning point in the match, before letting out a trademark roar.
And despite clicking into life at the back end of the match, Price was able to hold his nerve and strike the fatal blow, taking the victory at 6-4.
Littler was visibly frustrated at the end of the match, and will be keen to get his revenge on the TV stage as the 17-week Premier League campaign continues.
Price had a difficult 2024 and will be delighted that is form is continuing to show on the Premier League stage.
GettyLittler was left frustrated after his latest defeat to Price[/caption]
He took a break from the sport last year, but returned for the World Championship, taking a positive run to the quarter finals.
The 39-year-old has been in good form early on this year, even securing his first PDC ranking title in the Players Championship Two final.
Despite the defeat, it is certainly not panic stations for Littler, who has performed well so far, and already has a healthy position in the overall standings table.
