Luke Littler demolishes bogeyman Gerwyn Price as he steams to £225,000 World Matchplay Darts title

LUKE LITTLER kept the dream alive of a unique CLEAN SWEEP of every major title by defending his World Matchplay crown. The world No1 delivered one of the greatest-ever TV performances to beat Gerwyn Price 18-9 in the final at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Sunday night. Luke Littler smashed Gerwyn Price to win the World Matchplay of Darts Credit: Getty Images The Welshman was hammered despite averaging over 100 Credit: Getty Littler, 19, is now on course for a remarkable record of holding every major title in a calendar year having already won the World Championship, Masters, UK Open, Premier League and World Cup. The Nuke also created history with a Matchplay tournament average of 111.04, breaking his hero Phil Taylor’s previous record of 106.31 from 2010. It was also the highest average of 111.50 in a final in Blackpool. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Littler picked up the £225,000 first prize having already become the first player in history to overtake £3MILLION on his world ranking. He said: “It’s been a crazy week, one of the best weeks of my life. The darts I’ve played. It’s not been easy. “Niko Springer on debut, then Nathan Aspinall and Josh Rock, Dirk and now Gez [Price]. “The stats make it look like it’s easy but when you are on this stage and how hot it is, it’s not easy. “Definitely playing some of the best darts of my life. “Two years ago, the first round defeat to Michael wasn’t the best result. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Darts travel offers WE have teamed up with some of the UK’s finest travel firms to come up with these darts packages. Join the party when Luke Littler and co take centre stage. 🎯 MR VEGAS GRAND SLAM OF DARTS — Ticket to the darts plus night at handpicked hotel from £129 — BUY HERE 🎯 PDC PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS— See the world’s finest players go head to head at Butlin’s Minehead — BUY HERE * If you click on a link we will earn affiliate revenue. “The last two times we’ve been here and we’ve done it again. “Going into the tournament I’d won every major so far. “I know there’s four (ProTours) in Leicester I have to go. If I don’t qualify I’m going to get grilled!” It didn’t take long for The Nuke to get explosive. He delivered the first break of throw in the match with a stunning 167 kill on the bull. He then followed it up with 110 to lead 4-1 at the first break. Littler then upped his level yet again. He hit six perfect darts to extend the lead and then a wonderful tops tops finish. But Price picked up two vital legs to just stay in contention. However, the Warrington kid was simply unplayable. That was followed by incredible 128 and 127 finishes to roar clear at 9-3 and then delivered his biggest celebration of the match. After another bull finish, Littler was averaging 114 and Price simply laughed at the back of the stage in disbelief with the teenager now 11-4 ahead. The Nuke kept up his relentless pursuit of the title. He won the next session once again and edged closer to glory by leading 14-6. Then Littler broke the tournament record of 180s with his 65th but The Iceman, to his credit, kept battling. Once again Littler turned the screw with his sixth ton-plus finish with 148 and just two away from glory – and he soon wrapped it up. Comment now