Luke Littler produced a mesmerising display to defeat his great rival Luke Humphries and lift the SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters title on a historic Saturday night in Auckland.
Littler completed the World Series of Darts double Down Under with an inspired performance in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Spark Arena, averaging over 115 to complete an 8-4 victory.
The teenage wonderkid followed up his World Matchplay success with victory at last weekend’s Australian Darts Masters, and he extended his winning run with a stunning triumph in New Zealand.
“It felt very much the same as last week,” reflected Littler, who has won his last 13 matches in all competitions.
“I had a shaky start in my opening game, but once you come into Finals Night you know you have to switch it on, and that’s what I did again tonight.
“I felt unbeatable up there. The crowd were brilliant and the venue was incredible – it felt like a Premier League night, and I’m very happy to lift another title.
“I’m playing very well at the moment, I’m enjoying my darts and hopefully I can keep this winning streak going.”
Littler was imperious throughout the evening’s action in Auckland, defeating Mike De Decker, Gerwyn Price and Humphries to celebrate his fourth World Series of Darts title.
The 18-year-old kicked off Finals Day with a 6-2 victory over De Decker, recording his sixth consecutive win over the Belgian in a repeat of last weekend’s Australian Darts Masters showpiece.
The Warrington superstar followed this up with a 7-2 demolition of 2022 champion Gerwyn Price, averaging almost 109 to set up a winner-takes-all showdown against Humphries.
Littler punished a sluggish start from the world number one to race into a 3-0 lead, before following up a clinical 83 kill with legs of 13 and 11 darts to extend his cushion to 6-2.
Humphries responded with 13 and 11-dart holds as he fought to hold on to his New Zealand Darts Masters crown, only for an irresistible Littler to wrap up proceedings with successive 11-darters.
Despite missing out on his third World Series of Darts title, there were plenty of encouraging signs for Humphries, who averaged 102 in Saturday’s showpiece.
The 30-year-old had earlier dispatched 2024 runner-up Damon Heta 6-2 in the last eight, before averaging 102 and landing seven 180s in his semi-final victory over Chris Dobey.
“I played pretty well today, but when you run into a 115 average, there’s not much you can do,” reflected a gracious Humphries.
“I think if I’d won that sixth leg it might have given me a glimmer of hope, but the better player won for sure.
“When Luke’s on it, he’s untouchable. I held in there and I gave it my best, but he was just too good in the end.”
Earlier in the night, Dobey won through an extraordinary contest against Stephen Bunting, averaging 110.36 to close out a 6-3 victory against the Liverpudlian, who averaged 108 in defeat.
The evening’s other quarter-final clash saw Price defeat Josh Rock in a last-leg decider, overturning a 3-1 deficit and surviving a match dart in a frantic finale.
Following the conclusion of the World Series of Darts roadshow, the Jack’s World Series of Darts Finals will take place at the AFAS Live in Amsterdam from September 12-14.
Littler will be aiming to retain his title in the Dutch capital, though Bunting will be the top seed next month, having celebrated World Series wins in Bahrain and Copenhagen earlier in the campaign.
Click here for match stats & results.
2025 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters
Saturday August 16
Quarter-Finals
Chris Dobey 6-3 Stephen Bunting
Luke Humphries 6-2 Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Josh Rock
Luke Littler 6-2 Mike De Decker
Semi-Finals
Luke Humphries 7-4 Chris Dobey
Luke Littler 7-2 Gerwyn Price
Final
Luke Littler 8-4 Luke Humphries