LUKE LITTLER came close to breaking the World Matchplay average record as he blitzed Ryan Searle in just 16 MINUTES!
The teen sensation won his first-ever clash on the Winter Gardens stage, smashing Heavy Metal 10-2 in Blackpool on Sunday.
delivered an average of 108.92, just short of Phil Taylor’s 114.99 - but after five legs was flying at 121.21 per three darts.
He said: “It’s been an up and down season so far. World Cup didn’t go to plan for me and Luke (Humphries), tough conditions.
“But now it’s the Matchplay and you’re battling it out with the best in the world.”
Littler flew out of the blocks, ripping into a 5-0 lead in just SEVEN MINUTES and hitting five out of six shots on the doubles.
It took Searle six legs to get a double on the board after The Nuke piled on the pressure including a 126 checkout but his finishing just dipped off slightly in the latter stages.
Littler told Sky Sports : “I was well up for it tonight, I just wanted to get that win, get that winning feeling and I did it.
“I’m so glad to get that win, get that winning feeling and I can’t wait to come back.
“I felt very comfortable, I have been practising so much. I’ve just been putting in hours and hours. I’m glad it’s paid off.
“All eyes are on me now, just take it game by game... I can’t wait to get back on stage.”
also put in a comprehensive showing to secure a 10-5 win over Luke Woodhouse.
Anderson progresses to play , who scraped through with a 10-8 win against Ryan Joyce.
