Luke Littler OUT of Dutch Darts Masters after losing to Stephen Bunting in semi-final shootout
LUKE LITTLER crashed out of the Dutch Darts Masters after losing to Stephen Bunting in the semis.
The world champion was hoping to beat his rival again, having knocked Bunting out at Ally Pally earlier this month.
But Littler was unable to get the better of him for a second time.
And the 18-year-old was sent packing just an hour after demolishing Michael van Gerwen.
Littler led 3-1 at one stage before collapsing to a 7-6 defeat.
He even finished with a tournament-high average of 107.59.
By comparison, Bunting averaged 99.55 but hit 50 per cent of his checkouts to Littler’s 43.
Bunting was also able to take out an impressive finish of 125, with Littler managing just a 56.
But it was the whizz kid who hit the most 180s with seven to Bunting’s five.
Fans certainly loved Bunting’s epic win to set up a final against either Rob Cross, who beat Gerwyn Price 7-3 in the other semi.
One said: “Bunting is in unreal form, joy to watch.”
Another declared: “Woooow! This is unbelievable.”
One noted: “Look what happens when Bunting plays aggressively with self-belief.”
Another added: “It’s a Stephen Bunting world and we just exist in it.”