Summary

  • World Matchplay final result: Luke Littler 18-13 James Wade

  • Littler, 18, wins his first Blackpool title and completes darts' triple crown of World Championship, Premier League and World Matchplay

  • Wade performs well in top-quality contest but falls to sixth defeat in seven Matchplay final appearances

  • Lisa Ashton won Women's World Matchplay earlier on Sunday

Live Reporting

Sam Drury and Alex Fletcher

  1. Littler beats Wade in superb Matchplay final

    Luke LittlerGetty Images

    That's your lot for tonight, folks, and for another World Matchplay!

    It's another major tournament that ends with Luke Littler clutching a trophy.

    You can read Phil Cartwright's report on how the world champion overcame James Wade in an excellent final here.

    Thank you for joining us as we bid farewell to Blackpool's Winter Gardens for another year.

    But with plenty more darts to come in the months leading up to the World Championship, we'll have you covered!

  2. 'I've completed the triple crown'

    Result: Littler 18-13 Wade

    Luke LittlerGetty Images

    Luke Littler, speaking to Sky Sports: "It means absolutely everything, Phil Taylor was my idol. Now my name is on this list of his trophy and I can say I have completed the triple crown."

    On the game: "At 5-0 down once again I said to myself 'you've been here before, what you are doing?' I think James [Wade] started to drop off a bit and I started to find my best darts."

    On his ability to come back: "There's been a few times in the past where I've got myself back into the game but the past week has really shown me as a player that I can come back from 5-0 down or from 7-3 down."

    On proving himself: "I came here last year and lost in the first round. Some people might have thought I might lose again but I pulled myself out and got these opportunities and I don't want to be 5-0 down again."

    On winning darts' triple crown: "Since I started, I always said to myself, as long as I win one of every major then I'll be happy. I've only got a few left to tick off but I'll chase the majors I haven't won yet."

    On celebrations: "I want to go home back to a bit of normality and rest next week and then fly over to Australia and see everyone out there."

  3. Littler joins exclusive club

    Result: Littler 18-13 Wade

    Luke LittlerGetty Images

    In winning tonight, Luke Littler not only becomes the youngest ever World Matchplay champion.

    He also becomes just the fifth player to achieve darts' triple crown - World Championship, Premier League and World Matchplay.

    To a list that previously consisted of Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries, you can now add Littler's name.

    It's a wonderful achievement at any age. But at 18, it's just ridiculous.

  4. Result: Littler 18-13 Wade

    Luke LittlerPDC/Taylor Lanning

    An admirable effort from James Wade, who averaged 101.54 and was 44.8% on the outer ring.

    But Luke Littler was just that bit better. A stunning 107.24 average with a frankly ludicrous 17 180s, plus a very respectable 41.9% on the doubles.

  5. Result: Littler 18-13 Wade

    Luke Littler has got his hands on the Phil Taylor Trophy!

    You could see how much it meant to him when that winning double found its mark.

    After a good reception for James Wade (and a couple of boos), there is a great cheer for Littler as he lifts the trophy above his head.

  6. 'Incredible stuff from the world champion'

    Result: Littler 18-13 Wade

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

    With the minimum of fuss he rung off leg after leg after to run through the finishing line.

    Incredible stuff from the world champion.

    Who knows what he goes on to win? But one thing is certain, this is the one he wanted - the triple crown.

  7. Littler wins the World Matchplay!
    Breaking

    Littler 18-13 Wade

    Luke LittlerPDC/Taylor Lanning

    What a way to win the World Matchplay! A 115 checkout for Luke Littler!

    Just stunning from the world champion. Single 20, treble 19, double 19 - and, at the age of just 18, he has completed darts' triple crown.

    Only four men have done that before him. James Wade did his utmost to deny him but when Littler is on it, there is simply no stopping him.

    In both the semi-final and the final in Blackpool, he has come back from 5-0 down to win. Remarkable.

  8. Littler one leg from victory

    Littler 17-13 Wade*

    Just the 17 180s for Luke Littler tonight...

    The most comfortable of holds, sealed on double top and the 18-year-old is one leg away from the triple crown.

  9. *Littler 16-13 Wade

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

    Luke LittlerGetty Images

    Oh my word.

    Luke, we want drama pal. We don't want that happening.

    That was so efficient.

  10. Littler breaks

    *Littler 16-13 Wade

    Massive break of throw for Luke Littler - he is two legs away!

    James Wade looks to have lost the leg with a wayward 26, then pulls it back with a 180... only to miss tops for the 64 checkout.

    A tricky 80 for Littler. Well, it's not tricky if you're him. Treble 20, double 10 and a double break up once more.

  11. Littler holds

    Littler 15-13 Wade*

    Crucial hold for Luke Littler.

    He gets double five to move three legs away from the Phil Taylor Trophy.

    A 14-darter. Back over to James Wade...

  12. 'Wonderful game of darts'

    *Littler 14-13 Wade

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

    James WadeGetty Images

    What a moment.

    Same hole, that went in the same hole as he has hit previously.

    A wonderful game of darts.

  13. Wade takes out 101

    *Littler 14-13 Wade

    We have got a game on our hands, folks!

    Luke Littler misses the bull for an 81 out and James Wade replies with a 101 checkout - the biggest of the match.

    There is just one leg in it now...

  14. Littler 14-12 Wade*

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

    James Wade you are a darting machine.

    He was chuffed with that.

  15. Wade breaks

    Littler 14-12 Wade*

    You didn't think James Wade would just roll over, did you?!

    Not a chance! 100, 140, 180 to leave 81 - and you know the rest.

    Well, slightly different route this time but double 13 is hit and that's a break back.

  16. 'Littler is four legs away'

    *Littler 14-11 Wade

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

    Luke LittlerPDC/Taylor Lanning

    He gets it this time and there was no mucking around.

    Luke Littler is four legs away from being the Matchplay champion.

  17. Littler breaks

    *Littler 14-11 Wade

    An inhale of breath from Luke Littler after hitting double 16 to get that double break back immediately.

    Two more 180s for the world champ put him in control of the leg but two misses on the 16s give James Wade a look at 148.

    He finds the first treble 20 but misses the second by a whisker. Littler is back to clean up and he's closing in on the title...

  18. Wade breaks

    Littler 13-11 Wade*

    Huge leg for James Wade - one he desperately needed!

    Luke Littler starts it with a 180 but Wade responds with a 140 and then a 171 on his way to an 11-darter.

    Treble 19, double 19 for a superb 95 out.

  19. 'He is angry'

    *Littler 13-10 Wade

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

    The game for James Wade is in peril right now.

    He is annoyed and he is angry.

    At the moment Luke Littler is playing way better than Wade and he needs that to turn ASAP.

    WadeGetty Images

  20. Littler breaks

    *Littler 13-10 Wade

    Is this the leg that breaks James Wade?

    The 42-year-old is struggling to hold but is given a chance but a loose visit from Luke Littler.

    Wade misses tops to let Littler back in, only for 'The Nuke' to miss two at double 16.

    Still Wade can't take advantage, though. Three misses on double 10 and Littler comes back to break with double 16.