‘I used to be on stage for Luke Littler’s nine-darter – it’s certainly one of my profession highlights’
Luke Littler hit a nine-darter during his 6-4 victory over Michael van Gerwen in the Premier League Darts final in Cardiff, with referee Huw Ware in awe of the moment
Huw Ware has revealed that calling Luke Littler’s record-breaking nine-darter in Cardiff is one of the standout moments of his career.
The darts referee was officiating during the Premier League Darts night seven final on Thursday, where Littler defeated Michael van Gerwen 6-4. It came as Littler’s third televised nine-darter, and the Utilita Arena crowd went wild as he secured his third leg with a T20, T17, and D15 finish – leaving Ware struggling to contain his emotions.
Ware took to social media to congratulate the 18-year-old on his achievement, expressing his gratitude for having been the one to call it. On X, he wrote: “Not that this is about me, but calling a nine-darter in my home city is right up there with my career highlights.
“Well done @LukeTheNuke180.” Littler’s nine-darter not only sealed his victory but also made history as the first to end on D15 on live TV, reports the Express. When presented with the Premier League Darts trophy on stage, Littler discussed the finish, saying: “Yeah, I’ve been playing very well.
“I must admit I’ve not picked my darts up since last Thursday – I just had a week off to chill. But to come here and win, six points clear as you’ve just seen, so now I’m comfortable.”
When asked if he knew his last dart was in, he added: “No, I had no idea. I just had to wait for Huw to call it. You can see my face there. I was like, ‘Is it? Is it? Yeah’.”
Thanks to his latest triumph, Littler has managed to surge ahead in the Premier League standings, leaving himself a six-point cushion over Luke Humphries, with his ticket to the play-offs at the O2 this May looking all but stamped. In his next clash, he’ll aim to keep his hot streak alive against a winless Stephen Bunting, as the Premier League Darts rolls into Newcastle upon Tyne for its eighth week.
Revealing his thoughts on reaching those coveted finals in a matter of months, Littler said: “I just want to get to the O2 as quick as possible. I have put myself in a really good position and I do want to finish No. 1.
“Last year I didn’t want No. 1, this year I want to try and stay there. I was happy with my doubles tonight but there is plenty more to come.”
Littler kicked off his round of week seven games with a 6-3 win over Nathan Aspinall, before dispatching of Rob Cross with a score of 6-2. Thursday’s win in Cardiff came as his third victory under the Premier League banner in 2025 to date, with a finals win over Humphries in week two, and another over Aspinall in week five.
Elsewhere in Newcastle, Gerwen Price faces Cross, Humphries is pitted off against hometown hero Chris Dobey, and Van Gerwen faces Aspinall.
