Darts results: Luke Humphries completes World Championship-World Matchplay double in Blackpool and also equals an incredible Phil Taylor record
Luke Humphries completed the World Championship-World Matchplay double by defeating Michael van Gerwen 18-15 in a thrilling final in Blackpool
Only Phil Taylor, MVG and Peter Wright have previously held both trophies at the same time while this maiden Winter Gardens triumph means that Humphries now won five of the last eight majors since he broke his duck at October’s World Grand Prix.
Humphries, who has also lifted the World Cup with Michael Smith for England in this incredible spell of dominance that’s coincided with Ally Pally runner-up Luke Littler thrusting the sport in front of new audiences, also equalled another feat that only Taylor managed in Blackpool – averaging over 100 in all five matches.
The Power did it in three (2010, 2011, 2013) of his 16 title runs on this famous stage but nobody else until Humphries, who managed 108.8 v Ricardo Pietreczko, 102.3 v Stephen Bnting, 101.2 v Dimitri Van den Bergh, 100.6 v James Wade and 100.9 v van Gerwen with the trophy on the line.
And he finished it in style, too, with a tops-tops finish to take out 100 after the Dutchman spurned four darts at double eight across two visits to make it 17-16.
As well as MVG did to claw his way back into the final from 12-9 down when Humphries was looking to turn the screw, he also missed four attempts at double in the previous leg just as he sensed a fourth World Matchplay crown was potentially in his grasp.
The Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals champion averaged 100.9 compared to van Gerwen’s 98.7 while he hit 12 of the 18 180s and although his opponent landed four of the seven 100+ checkouts including the highest of 160, his finishing was ultimately superior as he pinned 18 of his 41 doubles while MVG missed 29 of his 44.
Nevertheless, van Gerwen will be encouraged by his major-challenging run at the Winter Gardens, especially many dismissed his chances before his first-round meeting with Littler that he soundly won 10-6.
Humphries, who was also runner-up to Littler in the Premier League final and also missed match darts to win the UK Open back in March, said: “I feel more emotional than when I won the Worlds. I am really blessed to be up on this stage and be part of such a great such a great sport.
“I feel very privileged to hold this trophy with so many great players. I am emotional, it really means the world to me.
“For me winning things like this, it’s amazing. It has been a fantastic tournament, it shows the standard of what is needed to win.”
Humphries admitted he was worried when he saw Van Gerwen making a late rally.
“I was thinking please don’t, I was getting a little nervy,” he said. “I felt the pressure. When I hit the first tops, I thought just make sure I get that double.
“I was fortunate he missed a few doubles as well.”
