Luke Littler threw a stunning nine-darter in an epic leg during his World Matchplay clash with Josh Rock. Remarkably, both players were on the verge of nine-darters before Littler prompted bedlam in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
Rock took control of the match and led 6-1 before both players contributed to a sensational eighth leg. They each threw eight 180s each, prompting an excited Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle to declare: “They’re both on nines!”
Having thrown first in the leg, Littler was able to attempt the nine-darter first and subsequently threw treble 20. His next throw landed perfectly in treble 17, before he finished an incredible leg with double 15. As the dart crashed into the board, the 18-year-old turned to Rock and nonchantly shrugged his shoulders while the crowd erupted in celebration.
“That is the second-best leg you will ever see in your life!” said Mardle, referring to a memorable leg between Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith in the World Championship final in 2023. That therefore made Littler’s encounter with Rock the greatest-ever World Matchplay leg, in the eyes of Mardle.
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