Luke Littler beats Michael van Gerwen 6-4 to win night seven of Premier League Darts in Cardiff
Littler throws nine-darter in fourth leg of final
Win is Littler's third in seven weeks and puts him six points clear at top of table
Semi-final result: Dobey 1-6 Van Gerwen, Littler 6-2 Cross
Quarter-final results: Dobey 6-2 Bunting, Humphries 4-6 Van Gerwen, Littler 6-3 Aspinall, Price 5-6 Cross
Price 0-3 Cross
Troy Luen
BBC Sport Wales at Utilita Arena, Cardiff
The crowd are trying to get Gerwyn Price going but the Iceman is struggling. Rob Cross is just staying calm and playing his game, and he’s punishing Price’s poor scoring.
Price 0-3 Cross
Image source, PA MediaHas the occasion got to Gerwyn Price? Early signs suggest that is a possbility.
Getting at least six darts from 164, Rob Cross sets up a full visit at 36 for a 3-0 lead.
Cross puts two over the double 18 bar, but lands the third attempt as he ignores a few boos from the crowd.
Price 0-2 Cross
John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports
Image source, PA MediaThat will be a good stern punch to the gut of Gerwyn Price.
Price 0-2 Cross
Rob Cross takes a commanding lead in the leg once again in leg two, this time against the throw.
Voltage sets up a 80 out for a break of throw. Setting up double 20, he completely drags the third dart which bounces out.
Gerwyn Price can't see off 100 and Cross is allowed back, only to split double 20 and double 10 before pinning the fives.
Price 0-1 Cross
A confident start from Rob Cross. With a 140 he sets up six darts at 94.
The first three leave 49 but Cross misses double 16 twice going to take it out.
On 114, Gerwyn Price almost breaks throw, but goes over on double 20.
Back at the 16s, Cross misses two more before sneaking the third on.
Cross goes for an enormous cheer after it. An attempt to get at the crowd?
Price 0-0 Cross
Troy Luen
BBC Sport Wales at Utilita Arena, Cardiff
Image source, PA MediaA hero’s welcome for Gerwyn Price, while Rob Cross gets booed for having the misfortune of being Price’s opponent and takes it with a knowing smile.
The chants are now of “Wales, Wales”, with Yma O Hyd surely to follow.
Price 0-0 Cross
It will come as no surprise that the Cardiff crowd are completely up for this one.
Gerwyn Price is met with a chorus of cheers and is still signing the audience's flights while Rob Cross is met with a less generous reception on his way to the stage.
Cross is in on it though, sharing a joke about the boos with master of ceremonies John McDonald and Price on the stage.
Cross to throw first, game on!
Price v Cross
Image source, Getty ImagesIt is a big night for Wales' Gerwyn Price, who takes on Rob Cross in Cardiff's final quarter-final.
Price has been the surprise package so far this season, having won two of the six nights this season and was third in the table at the start of the night.
Former world champion Cross was sixth, but could end the evening in the top four.
Their previous meeting in January in the Dutch Darts Masters ended in a 7-3 victory for Cross. Their past four meetings have seen two victories each.
Price v Cross
Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports
Rob Cross has always gone under the radar. It is the way he throws and the way he is. He isn't a show-off.
He is world class from head to toe. Even if he plays poorly he is still hard to beat. He is just consistent, that isn't working for him right now, but I believe it will. It will get rewarded somewhere down the line.
Price v Cross
John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports
Gerwyn Price's timing and taking opportunities is the reason he's up there so far. He's got a winning attitude and a high-quality attitude about his game. He's been positive and he's made the most of it.
Price v Cross
Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports
Gerwyn Price is doing so well considering how he's playing. He isn't playing as well as Luke Littler and Luke Humphries but he's keeping pace with them.
Price v Cross
Gerwyn Price says it will be ‘buzzing’ in Cardiff
Ahead of night seven of Premier League Darts on Thursday, 2021 PDC world champion Gerwyn Price says there will be added pressure playing in front of a Welsh crowd.
But the 40-year-old insists he will relish the occasion, adding that it will be "buzzing" in the Utilita Arena, Cardiff.
Price v Cross
Dafydd Jones
BBC Wales
Image source, Getty ImagesGerwyn Price says he is looking to "deliver" in front of a home crowd in Cardiff on night seven of the Premier League Darts.
The "Iceman", who hails from Markham, is set to have the support of the Welsh fans as the competition returns to the Welsh capital on Thursday night.
"I'm looking forward to it," Price said. "I don't get it that often, once a year, so I've got to relish it, grab it with both hands. Hopefully, I can deliver and put on a performance.
"The support is getting better and better everywhere I go now, not just in Cardiff, but it is a different atmosphere, I absolutely love it.
"I want to get out of the blocks quickly and get a win against Rob Cross. Hopefully I can win the night, but first things first, I want to get the win in that first game."
Result: Littler 6-3 Aspinall
Troy Luen
BBC Sport Wales at Utilita Arena, Cardiff
A ninth straight win for Luke Littler over Nathan Aspinall, who is guaranteed to remain at the top of the table regardless of tonight’s results.
The crowd lulled a little during that last match, but they’ll be up for Gerwyn Price shortly.
Result: Littler 6-3 Aspinall
Luke Littler averaged 102.21 per three darts in that match, including six 180s and finishing six of his 12 attempts at a checkout.
The same could not be said for Nathan Aspinall, who averaged just 88.73 and did not hit a single maximum.
Aspinall finished three of his 10 attempts at doubles, a 30% rate to Littler's 50%.
Result: Littler 6-3 Aspinall
Image source, PA MediaLuke Littler is left needing 81 after nine darts for the match, he's really cruising now.
A treble 17 gives him two darts at double 15 and the second attempt comes off for a 6-3 victory.
A convincing win in the end from the teenager, who guarantees himself top spot at the end of tonight's action in Cardiff.
Littler 5-3 Aspinall
Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports
It has been spirited from Nathan Aspinall despite averaging 10 less than his opponent.
Littler 5-3 Aspinall
Luke Littler is understandly furious after that last leg and throws an angry 180 against the throw.
Three perfect darts are met by three more. He's on a nine-darter!
Dart seven is a single one, but after nine, he's left on 100 and with Nathan Aspinall behind.
20, double 20, double 20. Ridiculously good from Littler for a 12-dart break.
Littler 4-3 Aspinall
Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports
Nathan Aspinall knows he isn't playing great, he is just hanging on in there with an average below 90.
Littler 4-3 Aspinall
Luke Littler starts the leg with an 11. He cheers it and joins in with the crowd in their sarcastic jeers.
His next visit? 180. Of course it was.
After nine darts, he is left a 170 out. That's despite a first visit of 11.
Littler cannot reel in the big fish but he will get at least three darts to see off the remaining 70.
Treble 15, five and splitting double 10. Littler will come back to double 10.
Misses at double five and double two allow Aspinall a crack at 88, which The Asp takes in two darts on double 18.