PDC World Darts Championship: Littler overpowers Aspinall to set up Bunting clash – as it happened | Darts

Littler 1-0 Aspinall (legs 0-1) Aspinall gets a much-needed hold, even if it took 17 darts. Littler had a look at 100 but missed the first of two double tops.

Littler 1-0 Aspinall (legs 3-0) Aspinall is scoring pretty well but Littler is battering him every which way. He misses D11 for a 142 – that would have been a third successive 12-darter – but gets the job done in 14 on double two.

That first set was a 38-dart statement of intent from Littler.

Littler breaks! Littler 0-0 Aspinall (legs 2-0) We knew there would be spells in the game when Littler would pummel Aspinall; we didn’t necessarily expect it to happen from leg one. But Littler hits D6 to make it back-to-back 12-darters, and this one is for a break. Yikes, we could be in bed by 10pm if this continues.

Littler 0-0 Aspinall (legs 1-0) Littler begins the match with 136, including a treble 20 first dart, and rams in a 105 finish to take the leg in 12 darts. Aspinall was back on 260-odd. Good evening Luke.

Nathan Aspinall comes out to Mr Brightsidethe greatest walk-on song bar none and no it’s not up for discussion. I’ve just realised Luke Littler wasn’t even born when that song was released. Thanks everyone and goodnight.

Littler walks on to Greenlight by Pitbull. Talking of which – pick this segue out – he won the bull backstage and will throw first.

Right, time for a quick break before Littler v Aspinall.

In the back room I felt really nervous, on edge. Peter Wright is a fan favourite and a massive friend of mine – he’s my son’s favourite player so I feel sorry for my son! I knew the crowd could be pivotal towards the middle of the game and I’m just so happy to get over the line.

[Turns to the crowd, wagging his finger with a smile] Now listen, for the first four sets you were unreal – but you must do better!

When Peter started to come back I just thought, ‘Don’t let yourself down’ and I was able to refocus. The crowd, unbelievable again, thanks very much. Let’s go Bunting mental, la la la la!

[On his practice partner Luke Humphries] Massive credit goes to Luke. I love him to bits and he took time out to practise with me. Pitting my wits against the best player in the world is paying dividends for me. Even though I didn’t show it in the second half of the game because I was so nervous, I can look forward to the rest of the tournament. Hopefully that’s the nervy one out of the way.

[On moving to No5 in the provisional rankings] World No5, wow. Thanks to my family and all my sponsors. It’s quite emotional – I’ve worked really hard behind the scenes. [Voice starts to crack] I’m not gonna cry, shut up!

Bunting wasn’t at his treblicious best – his match average was 95.55 – but he was the better player and did enough to hold off a slightly ominous fightback from Peter Wright.

Wright 2-5 Bunting (legs 0-3) Bunting leaves tops for the match with Wright on 150. He starts with treble 20, but the lie is awkward so he has to switch to 18s. He can’t hit the treble – but then Bunting misses three match darts.

Wright misses two at tops to break and Bunting finally finishes the job on D10. He exhales with relief and then starts to celebrate a memorable achievement: he’s into the semis at the worlds for the second time!

Bunting breaks! Wright 2-4 Bunting (legs 0-2) Bunting pummels the red bits to leave 131 after nine on the Wright throw. He has at least six darts with Wright back on 184 – and needs them after a poor visit of 41.

His second finishing visit is magnificent: bullseye and tops at the first attempt. Bunting is throwing for a place in the semi-final.

Wright 2-4 Bunting (legs 0-1) There’s no break between the sixth and seventh set, which should suit Wright – he’s won six of the last seven legs.

Make that six of the last eight. Bunting holds brilliantly, hitting D4 last dart with Wright waiting on 48. That could change the momentum once again.

This is the set. If Bunting wins, he wins; if Wright takes it, the match will be back on throw and he will be rumbling inexorably towards Bunting.

Wright breaks: Wright 2-4 Bunting (legs 3-1) The match averages are getting closer – 93 plays 97 as I type halfway through the leg. Wright hits 180 to be first to a finish on the Bunting throw. It’s a tricky one, 133, with Bunting waiting on 48.

Tricky my fundament! Wright hits treble 19 and then two double 19s to break the throw and seal the set. Oh my word.

Wright 1-4 Bunting (legs 2-1) Bunting is so close to getting a dart at tops from 160, but his second attempt at treble 20 deflects into the single. Wright takes out 58 in two darts to keep the fairytale alive.

Wright breaks back! Wright 1-4 Bunting (legs 1-1) Wright keeps niggling away at Bunting, who misses tops with his opponent on 32. Wright has got to take this – and he does at the second attempt. At this precise moment in time Wright is the better player; the problem is that he’s 4-1 down and potentially two legs away from being instructed to do one.

Bunting breaks! Wright 1-4 Bunting (legs 0-1) Wright can’t take out 144 but does at least leave 16. Bunting, on 76, hits single 20 and an accidental D16 before missing double 12. No matter: Wright misses three at double and Bunting breaks on D6.

That’s an untimely missed opportunity for Wright, who is again looking down the barrel.

“Maybe it’s time for some more oversharing,” says J.R. in Illinois. “What would be your walk-on song if you were a darts professional? Mine would be ‘Where’s Me Jumper’ by Sultans of Ping. I think that would send the crowd into paroxysms of delirium. I haven’t decided yet on what my nickname would be but I’ll be sure to let you know when I do.”

This would set Ally Pally aflame.

That was Wright’s best set by a mile: he averaged 105 (Bunting’s was 101) and hit three of his four attempts at double. If he holds to make it 4-2, Bunting might start to think the unthinkable.

Wright breaks again! Wright 1-4 Bunting (legs 3-0) Whether it’s defiance or the freedom of the damned, Wright has started to inconvenience Bunting. He starts with a 180 against the darts and eventually takes out 64 despite threatening to make a mess of it by hitting T7. A clean-up job of single 11 and a beautifully thrown D16 gave him a clean sweep in set five.

Wright holds! Wright 0-4 Bunting (legs 2-0) You have to admire Peter Wright, who won’t accept the logic of defeat. He takes out 64 in two darts to go within one leg of winning a set against the darts.

Wright breaks! Wright 0-4 Bunting (legs 1-0) The greatest comeback since New Year’s Day 2024 starts here. Wright hits D10 to break the Bunting throw and give himself the merest snifter of hope.

• Average Wright 90.53-96.28 Bunting

• Doubles perentage Wright 44-52 Bunting

• 180s Wright 1-1 Bunting

• 140+ Wright 9-15 Bunting

• Legs won Wright 4-12 Bunting

Luke Humphries, who practises with Bunting, must wonder what he did to deserve that Peter Wright performance in the last 16.

Bunting breaks! Wright 0-4 Bunting (legs 0-3) This game is done. The killer blow was Bunting’s 143 to break back in the third set, at a time when Wright was threatening to stir.

Bunting breaks again, this time in 18 darts, to sweep the set against the darts. He is romping into his second World Championship semi-final.

Wright 0-3 Bunting (legs 0-2) Even if he is hammered here, Wright’s win over Luke Humphries will be remembered as one of the best of his career. It could also be the last hurrah for a player who turns 55 in March.

Bunting, by contrast, is reaching his peak ahead of his 40th birthday in April. His scoring has dropped slightly since the first set but he has been magnificent on the doubles, particularly 16; he hits it again to take a 2-0 lead in set four.

Bunting breaks! Wright 0-3 Bunting (legs 0-1) Wright makes a horrible mess of 72, hitting 7, 3 and 14. Bunting punishes him with another beautiful double 16 for a savage break of throw. He is rampant and leads 10-4 in legs.

Wright 0-3 Bunting (legs 2-3) The deciding leg of the third set is a nervy affair: Wright 144-146 Bunting after four visits apiece.

Bunting suddenly ploughs in two T19s to give himself one dart at D16 for the set. He misses that but returns to take it at the first attempt. I thought timing was the key for Wright; in fact Bunting has done the right things at the right moments.

Wright 0-2 Bunting (legs 2-2) Impressive stuff from Wright, who hits his solitary dart at tops with Bunting waiting on 68 (I think) for the set. But Bunting will throw for a 3-0 lead.

Wright 0-2 Bunting (legs 1-2) Wright ignores that blow to start with back-to-back 140s. His scoring has noticeably improved and he’s down to 116 after nine, with Bunting on 74 after 12.

Wright hits 20 and T20 before missing D18. Bunting gets one at tops and makes it count! That’s another beautifully timed finish from Bunting, who has recovered from a wobble and is a hold of throw away from a 3-0 lead.

Wright 0-2 Bunting (legs 1-1) Wright has changed his darts already, possibly more than once, and he’s starting to hit a few more treble 20s. Bunting has dropped off at the same time, which allows Wright six darts from 147 and three from 58. He misses two at tops and is punished by a devastating finish from Bunting!

When Wright missed those doubles, Bunting took a few seconds to have a swig of water and compose himself. It worked a treat: T20, T17, D16.

Wright breaks! Wright 0-2 Bunting (legs 1-0) As Glen Durrant says on Sky Sports, Bunting looks so relaxed. This is the best he’s ever been, and a win tonight would move him to a career-high No5 in the provisional rankings.

Wright puts him under pressure by starting the set with his first 180 of the match. Bunting is first to a double, only to miss four of them, and Wright breaks for the first time in the match. He really needed that.