Gerwyn Price pins the FOURTH nine-darter of Premier League Darts season against Luke Littler – but still loses quarter-final match-up

Gerwyn Price hit the fourth nine-darter of the Premier League season against Luke Littler – but still lost the quarter-final match-up.

The Ice Man was taking on the defending world champion having won the last six matches between the two, but fell 5-1 behind as the teenage star dominated for much of the contest.

Littler was going into the game in a tough run of form, and didn’t hit his first 180 until the ninth leg of the contest. He responded by sarcastically throwing his arms into the air.

That came after Price, though, had got himself back into the game, with a nine-darter, which is the fewest number of darts a player can finish a leg in.

Having conceded the sixth leg on throw after missing two darts at double, Sky Sports commentator Stuart Pyke suggested it ‘may well be’ game over as Littler moved one leg from victory.

But Price – at least temporarily – had other ideas, achieving the feat and letting out a signature bellowing roar before sharing a warm embrace with Littler – who is has also hit a nine-darter this season.

It means half of the player in this year’s competition have now successfully pinned nines, with Price joining Littler, Luke Humphries and Rob Cross in the club.

Players who achieve the feats are rewarded with 18ct gold darts – worth £30,000 – from sponsors BetMGM.

On receiving the prize from BetMGM, world champion Littler said: ‘To hit a nine-darter on the big stage is always special but to do it in a final against Michael van Gerwen was even more memorable. It’s a special prize from BetMGM.’

World No 1 Humphries, added: ‘It’s an amazing prize and when we were told about the gold set of darts by BetMGM, I said I’d love to win them. It’s something prestigious to remember my first TV nine-darter with.’

Price started the leg with a 180 – his third of the game, as Littler struggled with 60. Price then hit another maximum, before taking to the board to take out 141.

He did just that, hitting double 16, then 60, and then double 12.

He then shared a few words with Littler before the latter burst out laughing, and Price celebrated as the crowd in Manchester went wild. 

Littler himself was six points clear at the top of the table following night nine as he bids to retain his title in his second year in the competition.

Price, going into the match on the back of a Players Championship win – his third of the year – was third in the table on 15 points, having lost the final to Stephen Bunting last week.

He is looking to fend off the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Cross and Nathan Aspinall in a bid to finish in the top four and qualify for the play-offs at the O2 later this year.