Photo credit: www.skysports.com
Luke Humphries Claims Victory in Premier League Opener
Luke Humphries began his BetMGM Premier League 2025 journey on a high note, securing a resounding 6-1 win against Chris Dobey during the first night of competition held in Belfast.
Humphries showed his prowess right from the start, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead with impressive checkouts of 128 and 100. Dobey struggled with his finishing, which allowed Humphries to maintain control. Despite Dobey’s attempt to rally with a crucial 126 checkout in the sixth leg, Humphries once again demonstrated his skill, wrapping up the match with a splendid finish on double tops, ultimately achieving an impressive 86% success rate on his doubles.
This solid performance not only marked a successful start for Humphries but also positioned him at the top of the Premier League table with five points after the inaugural matches.
Reflecting on the competition, Humphries acknowledged the intensity of the league, stating, “I think this is the hardest Premier League for a long time. Nights like this might not happen as much as you’d want,” as reported by Sky Sports.
Humphries, who had faced challenges in the previous two seasons, expressed satisfaction with his opening match performance: “It’s nice to get off to a good start. I did great last year and I’m hoping to do the same this year.”
His path to the final included a nail-biting 6-5 victory over Michael van Gerwen. The match swung dramatically, with Van Gerwen coming back from a 3-1 deficit. However, Humphries showcased his finishing skills, including a slick 120 checkout, to regain control. In the final leg, he capitalized on Van Gerwen’s missed match darts, clinching the victory by hitting a 45 on double 16.
Dobey advanced to the final after defeating Rob Cross 6-4, highlighted by dazzling checkouts including a 170 finish known as ‘The Big Fish.’ The match was a rollercoaster, with Dobey initially seizing a lead, only to be countered by Cross before Dobey pulled ahead again to secure his place in the final.
Premier League results; Night one, Belfast
Quarter-finals:
Chris Dobey 6-4 Gerwyn Price
Stephen Bunting 4-6 Rob Cross
Luke Littler 5-6 Michael van Gerwen
Nathan Aspinall 2-6 Luke Humphries
Semi-finals:
Chris Dobey 6-4 Rob Cross
Michael van Gerwen 5-6 Luke Humphries
Final:
Chris Dobey 1-6 Luke Humphries
MVG and Littler Shine in Thrilling Encounter
In another highlight of the evening, Michael van Gerwen faced off against Luke Littler in a riveting match that culminated in a 6-5 victory for Van Gerwen. This match marked a redemption for Van Gerwen after his prior defeat to Littler in the World Darts Championship final. With an electrifying finish, Van Gerwen showcased his skill with a 114 checkout in a match characterized by Littler’s impressive 113.91 average, the second-highest in Premier League history for a losing player.
Though Littler initially soared with an average over 121 and executed a brilliant 161 checkout, he couldn’t close out the match. Van Gerwen capitalized on missed darts from Littler to secure the win with a decisive checkout of 25 on double eight.
In the other quarter-finals, Gerwyn Price fell 6-4 to Dobey, Stephen Bunting could not overcome Cross, losing 4-6, and Humphries handily defeated Nathan Aspinall 6-2.
Sky Sports will continue to provide exclusive coverage of the Premier League in 2025, live streaming every night along with major tournaments such as the World Matchplay and Grand Slam of Darts.
Source
www.skysports.com