Luke Littler has finally taken on Phil Taylor but not in the way darts fans expected.
Instead of a highly desired battle on the oche, ‘The Nuke’ faced off against the 16-time world champion in a game of Jenga on April Fools’ Day.
X / @TargetDartsLittler and Taylor have finally faced off against each toher[/caption]
X / @TargetDartsThe pair met in a game of Jenga as they took a break from the oche[/caption]
In a video teasing the prospect of a long-awaited match-up between the pair, Target Darts bought Littler and Taylor fact-to-face.
The caption hinted: “The Nuke and The Power finally go head-to-head after months of the world waiting for the clash.”
However, it was quickly revealed they would be playing the popular block-stacking game instead of meeting on the oche.
Ultimately it was Littler who came out on top in a match that lasted three minutes and 40 seconds.
His victory was confirmed after ‘The Power’ sent the tower toppling as he tried to remove a block.
The darts legend was gracious in defeat as he congratulated Littler by saying: “Well done, mate.”
Meanwhile, the teenager said afterwards: “I knew that I was going to have to be at my very best to block out the noise and knock over such an incredible opponent.
“Phil is such a towering player who has set the bar so high in his amazing career, so it feels great to have kept a steady hand and secured a win against a true legend.”
Taylor ironically added: “It was a high-stakes match. I thought I might’ve had the edge with experience, but fair play to Luke, he held his nerve, and I crumbled!
“He really knows how to take his opponent down, piece by piece.
X / @TargetDartsTaylor handed Littler victory as he toppled the tower[/caption]
“I’m sure we’ll continue to see him make the right moves and reach new heights.”
Taylor won a record 16 world titles before retiring in 2018, whilst Littler became the youngest-ever world champion aged 17 in January.
The 18-year-old’s meteoric rise has seen many fans and pundits speculate that he could surpass Taylor’s tally.
Taylor himself even offered some advice following Littler’s victory over Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace.
Speaking in January, he explained: “If I could give him one piece of advice, it wouldn’t be anything to do with his darts or the way he navigates his way around the board.
“I would tell him, ‘Shoes – if you’re not standing comfortably on the oche, you’re not going to hit a target the size of your little fingernail, so make sure your shoes fit perfectly and take two or three pairs with you everywhere.’
“And sleep – make sure you get enough rest. I still take a mattress topper with me everywhere I go because some hotels beds are like sleeping in the middle of the road.
“Again, your darts won’t go where you want them to land if you are bleary-eyed after a restless night.”
Littler has reached the final on both his first two appearances at Ally Pally.
Meanwhile, he has already won the UK Open, Grand Slam of Darts and Premier League in less than two years on the PDC Tour.
