Littler dominates Aspinall to set up clash with Bunting – as it happened

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

Littler 1-0 Aspinall (jambes 3-0) Aspinall scores pretty well but Littler beats him in every way. He misses D11 for a 142 – that would have been a third successive 12 dart – but gets the job done in 14 on double two.

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

Little breaks! Littler 0-0 Aspinall (legs 2-0) We knew there would be spells in the game where Littler would hit Aspinall; we didn’t necessarily expect this to happen from the first stage. But Littler hits D6 to make it 12 straight darts, and this one is for a break. Yeah, we could be in bed by 10pm if this continues.

Littler 0-0 Aspinall (jambes 1-0) Littler began the match with 136, including a triple of first 20 darts, and finished with a 105 to win the leg in 12 darts. Aspinall was back on about 260. Good evening Luc.

Nathan Aspinall is dating Mr. Brightsidelargest single bar of songs, none and no, it’s not up for discussion. I just realized that Luke Littler wasn’t even born when this song came out. Thank you all and good night.

Littler heads to Greenlight through Pitbull. Speaking of which – pick this sequence – he won the bull backstage and will throw first.

Okay, time for a little break before Littler vs. Aspinall.

In the back room, I felt really nervous, on edge. Peter Wright is a fan favorite and a great friend of mine – he’s my son’s favorite player, so I feel sorry for my son! I knew the crowd could play a crucial role towards the middle of the match and I’m so happy to cross the finish line.

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

When Peter started to come back, I just thought, “Don’t give up,” and I was able to refocus. The crowd, incredible again, thank you very much. Here we go Mental Bunting, la la la la!

[On his practice partner Luke Humphries] Huge credit goes to Luke. I love him to pieces and he took the time to train with me. Going up against the best player in the world pays dividends for me. Even though I didn’t show it in the second half of the match because I was too nervous, I can look forward to the rest of the tournament. I hope this is the most nervous problem.

[On moving to No5 in the provisional rankings] World No. 5, wow. Thanks to my family and all my sponsors. It’s quite emotional – I’ve been working really hard behind the scenes. [Voice starts to crack] I’m not going to cry, shut up!

Bunting was not at his best – his match average was 95.55 – but he was the better player and did enough to withstand a slightly worrying fightback from Peter Wright.

Wright 2-5 Bunting (jambes 0-3) Bunting heads into the match with Wright at 150. He starts with a triple 20, but the lie is awkward so he has to move up to 18. He can’t hit the highs – but then Bunting misses three match darts.

Wright misses two at the top to break and Bunting finally finishes the job in D10. He exhales in relief then begins to celebrate a memorable achievement: he reached the semi-finals of the world championships for the second time!

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

His second finishing visit is magnificent: bullseye and top from the first try. Bunting is aiming for a place in the semi-finals.

Wright 2-4 Bunting (jambes 0-1) There’s no let-up between the sixth and seventh sets, which should suit Wright: he’s won six of the last seven sets.

Make it six of the last eight. Bunting holds up brilliantly, hitting the final dart D4 with Wright waiting for 48. This could change the momentum again.

It’s the whole thing. If Bunting wins, he wins; if Wright takes him, the match will resume and he will rumble inexorably towards Bunting.

Wright takes a break: Wright 2-4 Bunting (legs 3-1) Match averages are getting closer – 93 games 97 as I tap halfway through the leg. Wright reaches 180 to be the first to complete Bunting’s throw. It’s a tricky question, 133, with Bunting waiting for 48.

It’s tricky, my fundamentals! Wright hits triple 19 then two double 19s to break the throw and seal the whole thing. Oh my word.

Wright 1-4 Bunting (jambes 2-1) Bunting is so close to getting a dart at the top of 160, but his second attempt at triple 20 veers towards the single. Wright takes out 58 in two darts to keep the fairy tale alive.

Wright recule ! Wright 1-4 Bunting (jambes 1-1) Wright continues to go after Bunting, who misses the highs with his opponent on 32. Wright has to take this – and he does on the second attempt. Right now, Wright is the better player; the problem is that they are down 4-1 and potentially two legs away from being ordered to make one.

Banner breaks! Wright 1-4 Bunting (legs 0-1) Wright can’t pull out 144 but leaves at least 16. Bunting, on 76, hits a single 20 and an accidental D16 before missing double 12. It doesn’t matter: Wright misses three at doubles and Bunting breaks on D6 .

It’s an untimely missed opportunity for Wright, who once again looks down.

“Maybe it’s time to share more” said JR in Illinois. “What would be your favorite song if you were a darts professional?” Mine would be “Where’s Me Jumper” by Sultans of Ping. I think it would send the crowd into paroxysms of delirium. I haven’t decided what my nickname will be yet, but I’ll be sure to let you know when I do.

Cela enflammerait Ally Pally.

This was Wright’s best set by a mile: he had an average of 105 (Bunting’s was 101) and succeeded in three of his four doubles attempts. If he can make it 4-2, Bunting might start thinking the unthinkable.

Wright casse encore ! Wright 1-4 Bunting (jambes 3-0) Whether it was defiance or freedom of the damned, Wright began to bother Bunting. He starts with a 180 against the darts and ultimately pulls out 64 despite threatening to ruin everything by hitting T7. Some cleanup work from the single 11 and a beautifully thrown D16 gave him a clear shot in the fifth set.

Wright tient ! Wright 0-4 Bunting (jambes 2-0) You have to admire Peter Wright, who will not accept the logic of defeat. He takes out 64 in two darts to be one step away from winning a set against Darts.

Wright casse ! Wright 0-4 Bunting (jambes 1-0) The biggest comeback since New Year 2024 starts here. Wright hits D10 to break Bunting’s throw and give himself the slightest sigh of hope.

• Average Wright 90.53-96.28 Guirlande

• Double pourcentage Wright 44-52 Bunting

• 180s Wright 1-1 Bruant

• 140+ Wright 9-15 Bruant

• Legs won Wright 4-12 Bruant

Luke Humphries, who trains with Bunting, must be wondering what he did to deserve that performance from Peter Wright in the last 16.

Banner breaks! Wright 0-4 Bunting (legs 0-3) This game is over. The fatal blow was Bunting’s 143 to come 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 darts. He is entering his second World Championship semi-final.

Wright 0-3 Bunting (jambes 0-2) Even though it gets 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 hurray for a player who turns 55 in March.

Bunting, on the other hand, hits his peak before his 40th birthday in April. His score has dropped slightly since the first set but he was magnificent in doubles, especially in the 16th; he strikes again to take a 2-0 lead in the fourth set.

Banner 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 fine double 16 for a wild throw break. He is rampant and leads 10-4 in the legs.

Wright 0-3 Bunting (jambes 2-3) The third set decider was a nervy affair: Wright 144-146 Bunting after four visits apiece.

Bunting suddenly throws two T19s to give himself a dart in D16 for the set. He misses it but comes back to take it on the first try. I thought timing was key for Wright; in fact, Bunting did the right things at the right time.

Wright 0-2 Bunting (jambes 2-2) Impressive stuff from Wright, who hits his solitary dart at the top with Bunting waiting for 68 (I think) for the set. But Bunting will try to take a 3-0 lead.

Wright 0-2 Bunting (jambes 1-2) Wright shrugs off that blow to start with back-to-back 140s. His score improved noticeably and he fell to 116 after nine, with Bunting at 74 after 12.

Wright reached 20 and T20 before missing D18. Bunting gets one off the top and makes it count! It’s another beautifully timed finish from Bunting, who has recovered from a wobble and is just steps away from a 3-0 lead.

Wright 0-2 Bunting (jambes 1-1) Wright has already changed his darts, perhaps more than once, and he is starting to hit a few more triple 20s. Bunting has fallen at the same time, allowing Wright six darts from 147 and three from 58. He misses some two to the top and is punished by a devastating finish from Bunting!

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

Wright casse ! Wright 0-2 Bunting (jambes 1-0) As Glen Durrant says on Sky Sports, Bunting looks so relaxed. It’s the best he’s ever achieved, and a win tonight would propel him to a career-high 5th in the provisional rankings.

Wright puts him under pressure by starting the set with his first 180 of the match. Bunting was the first to make a double, but missed four, and Wright made a break for the first time in the match. He really needed it.