'Almost darts ja vu'published at 21:09 British Summer Time 27 July
Littler 12-10 Wade*
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
Almost darts ja vu.
How close was that? Literally the width of the wire.
That is how you hold a throw.
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
'Almost darts ja vu'published at 21:09 British Summer Time 27 July
11-darter for Littlerpublished at 21:09 British Summer Time 27 July
Littler 12-10 Wade*
Image source, PDC/Taylor LanningBoos ring around the Winter Gardens as Luke Littler just misses the treble after seven perfect darts.
It was right on the wire as well but no nine-darter this time.
He has to settle for 11 and a straightforward hold.
Postpublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 27 July
*Littler 11-10 Wade
Yet again, James Wade gets the hold he needs to stay in touch.
He lays up with two darts of his visit remaining and 67 needed with Luke Littler back on 167.
Risky but 'The Nuke' can't take it out and Wade gets tops at the third time of asking.
Postpublished at 21:04 British Summer Time 27 July
Littler 11-9 Wade*
Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky SportsThe fact that James Wade has held it at one break is a positive.
He's trying to slow the pace up but Luke Littler is staying focused.
Luke could do with the double break.
Littler holds with 12-darterpublished at 21:02 British Summer Time 27 July
Littler 11-9 Wade*
The end of a fabulous session and Luke Littler is two legs up.
A 12-dart hold for the teenager after a Matchplay record-equalling 56th 180 of the tournament.
James Wade averaged nearly 116 in that session - he lost it 3-2. It shows the level both players are at right now.
Postpublished at 21:00 British Summer Time 27 July
*Littler 10-9 Wade
Excellent from James Wade this time.
A 12-dart hold secured on the bull for an 81 out. He's keeping the pressure on Luke Littler but so far the world champion is dealing with it just fine.
Postpublished at 20:58 British Summer Time 27 July
Littler 10-8 Wade*
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
Image source, Getty ImagesSomeone is at it [shouting] again.
James Wade has taken exception and the game has had to stop.
It looks like it's coming from the VIP area?
Postpublished at 20:58 British Summer Time 27 July
Littler 10-8 Wade*
Superb from Luke Littler.
After a brief delay as James Wade again looks over at an area of the crowd where someone is clearly distracting him, he hits a 180 to leave 40.
He doesn't get a look at it, though, as Littler coolly takes out 53 in two darts. Minimum of fuss and the two-leg lead is restored.
Postpublished at 20:56 British Summer Time 27 July
*Littler 9-8 Wade
James Wade is going nowhere.
It's a strong leg for the 2007 champion. It includes a 180 and finishes on tops.
A 13-darter with Luke Littler some way back.
Postpublished at 20:54 British Summer Time 27 July
Littler 9-7 Wade*
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky SportsJames Wade is going through these little spells of looking like he's not going to miss to then looking like he is not going to hit anything.
Luke Littler has won nine of the past 11 legs.
Two-leg lead for Littlerpublished at 20:54 British Summer Time 27 July
Littler 9-7 Wade*
Decent leg for James Wade against the darts... but it's not quite enough.
He misses the bullseye for an 81 out and Luke Littler is in no mood to give him another chance.
Two darts to take out 25 and move two legs clear.
Postpublished at 20:51 British Summer Time 27 July
*Littler 8-7 Wade
With eight 180s already tonight, Luke Littler is up to 55 for the tournament.
Not bad at all...
Three breaks in a rowpublished at 20:49 British Summer Time 27 July
*Littler 8-7 Wade
Image source, Getty ImagesJames Wade is trying to slow things down to throw Luke Littler off his rhythm - but it does him no good.
After a lovely 124 set-up, Littler takes out 97 to edge in front at the break.
Postpublished at 20:47 British Summer Time 27 July
Littler 7-7 Wade*
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
Image source, Getty ImagesSomeone is maybe whistling or shouting.
James Wade mouthed 'who's that?'
Wade breaks backpublished at 20:47 British Summer Time 27 July
Littler 7-7 Wade*
Just as I was about to say that the trebles are starting to elude James Wade, he finds them again.
A couple of 140s put him in a strong position with Littler, somewhat surprisingly, struggling to get the trebles himself.
Wade hits double 10 to break straight back and then has a look over the someone in the crowd. Were they saying something to him or whistling?
Who knows? He still got the leg won.
Littler breakspublished at 20:45 British Summer Time 27 July
*Littler 7-6 Wade
Luke Littler is in front for the first time in the match!
The crowd is ready to erupt as he hits the two treble 20s when going for the big fish.
He misses the bull, though, giving James Wade a shot at 88. But 'The Machine' misses double seven and Littler is back to get the 25 he needed.
Postpublished at 20:42 British Summer Time 27 July
Littler 6-6 Wade*
Image source, Getty ImagesLuke Littler surges a long way clear as James Wade struggles through the leg.
It's a good job, too, because the 18-year-old then misses six darts at double.
Wade eventually gets close enough to be a threat and Littler gets double five with the third dart of his visit. It'll do.
Postpublished at 20:40 British Summer Time 27 July
*Littler 5-6 Wade
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky SportsIt's like it's the start of the game all over again for James Wade.
That 11-darter was a massive tap on the shoulder of Luke Littler to say 'I haven't buckled, I'm still here'.
Wade holdspublished at 20:39 British Summer Time 27 July
*Littler 5-6 Wade
It's James Wade's turn to provide a strong response to losing five legs on the trot.
Three straight 140s and then just two darts needed to take out 81.
An 11-dart hold with Luke Littler waiting for a go at 81 himself.
Postpublished at 20:37 British Summer Time 27 July
Littler 5-5 Wade*
James Wade is still averaging 100.16 but Luke Littler has surged past him and is up at 105.95.
It was a gradual process coming back from 5-0 down against Josh Rock last night, he's done it in five legs tonight.