Humphries avoids Littler ahead of PL Finals Night as Bunting wins in Sheffield

Defending champion Luke Humphries avoided Luke Littler ahead of Premier League Play-Offs by reaching the final in Sheffield but it was Stephen Bunting who ran riot to seal victory.

Bunting closed the curtain on the league stage of this season's competition in style, beating Humphries 6-3 to clinch victory.

'The Bullet' averaged over 106 and fired in seven 180s to win his second night of the campaign to secure fifth place.

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Humphries will feature at Finals Night at The O2 in London next Thursday, alongside 2024 champion and world No 1 Littler, 2021 champion Jonny Clayton and 2023 runner-up Gerwyn Price.

'Cool Hand' made it through to his fourth consecutive nightly final as he confirmed third spot in the Premier League table by storming past Luke Littler, defeating the 19-year-old 6-1.

The 31-year-old Newbury thrower averaged 100.82 average as he defeated the world No 1 for the second consecutive week.

"Humphries bullied Littler," said former Lakeside champion Mark Webster. "Littler hasn't been at it tonight but take nothing away from Humphries, who wanted to put himself in a position to avoid Littler next week.

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"He restricted Littler to so few chances, outscored him. From the word go, he was the better player and did not relent."

Bunting stayed on on course for his second nightly win as he reeled off the last four legs in brilliant style to defeat Price 6-3.

The match was halted briefly as both players - with the help of referee Owen Binks - appeared to notify security about an unruly spectator.

Wayne Mardle explained: "There was an issue with someone being a bit of a wally. Price apparently said he was not going to throw another dart until they were expelled from the venue and they were."

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In the end it was the Liverpudlian who surged towards the finish line with the help of a stunning 161 checkout.

"Gezzy will be delighted to be in the play-offs - but will feel he should have been better placed [than fourth]," said Webster.

"There was that week in Manchester where he seemed unplayable and you thought he would get loads more points.

"He has stumbled since getting in the top four - but will take encouragement from Littler's performance tonight."

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With both players blowing hot and cold for 11 legs, it was Littler who won a bizarre contest against Josh Rock in a deciding leg thriller - remaining in the hunt for a record seventh nightly win.