03 January 2024 , 22:39
1003
0
Don't Luke back in anger - fairytales are rarely delivered to order.
When the story of Luke Littler's first magic carpet ride at Alexandra Palace is enshrined in history, each chapter will be like a song to make your heart soar. Apart from the cruel ending.
Every Littler Thing He Does Is Magic: The boy wonder fell just short of immortality, but at 16 his 7-4 defeat in the Paddy Power PDC World Championship final was surely the most heroic near-miss with glory this hilltop fortress has witnessed in its 150 years.
Try A Littler Tenderness: Wipe away those tears, son. The boy who would be king didn't miss his coronation – it has only been deferred.
Littler Deuce Coupe: Luke the Nuke's £200,000 as runner-up will be the first big pay cheque of many – and when he buys his first car later this month, he'll be able to take his pick from any set of wheels in the showroom.
Luke Littler injured in altercation with fan after Premier League Darts victory
Apparently, he's buying a Skoda with his teenager's pocket money when he turns 17 in a fortnight. Don't forget the L-plates, mate – although you don't need them any more on the oche.
It would be a huge surprise if Littler was not included in the eight-player Premier League cast announced this afternoon. He doesn't just belong in the supporting cast for a 17-week travelling circus. He'll be the star attraction.
To the champion, Luke Humphries, chapeau. Amid the fireworks, ticker tape and kudos of a first-world title, give the man some respect.
That's 19 consecutive wins, and four major titles in three months – the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam, Players Championship finals and now the Sid Waddell Trophy. His billing as a pre-tournament favourite was bang on the money after all.
Luke Humphries celebrates with the trophy (PA)Humphries, 28, has not risen to No.1 in the world rankings by accident. After his close call with ignominy in the third round against Ricardo Pietreczko, he played like a champion and he was like a dog with a bone. He simply wouldn't let go.
If there was a pivotal moment, it was Littler missing a single dart at double two to go 5-2 up – and Humphries stepped in to reduce the deficit to 4-3 with double 14.
From that point onwards, it was more one-way traffic than the feared Hanger Lane gyratory just around the North Circular from here. Earlier, outside Ally Pally, the Del Boy brigade was flogging half-and-half scarves at £20 a pop. Nice tat for those with an eye for souvenirs.
And as the youngest World Championship finalist in history – easily undercutting Kirk Shepherd's 21 years and 88 days in 2008 – rode into town, the froth and hype was everywhere.
According to desperately premature propaganda, Littler is already the favourite to win 2024 Sports Personality of the Year. But cancelling the Paris Olympics, calling off Euro 2024 and handing Luke the Nuke the gong with 361 days to spare won't cure his broken heart.
The last time Littler and Humphries had met, in a pub tournament on Hayling Island in November 2019, Cool Hand Luke was about 4st heavier and won the £250 prize money.
Luke Littler, 16, continues fairytale Ally Pally run as darts prodigy wins again
Fast forward four-and-a-bit years and this episode of the Lukes of Hazard was worth a cool £500,000 to the winner – and it was a belter. In the end, Humphries' heavier scoring made the difference. He outgunned the apprentice 23-13 in maximum 180s, creating a new tournament record of 912.
The title sponsor pledged £1,000 per 180 to Prostate Cancer UK over the 16 days of competition. They will be handing over the thick end of £1 million.
And although the tale of the tape suggests there was little between the Two Lukes by numbers (Humphries averaging 103.67 to Littler's 101.13) there was a palpable sense of the momentum having shifted inexorably towards Cool Hand Luke by the time he sank double eight to win it.