Going Mard
Sky Sports commentator loses mind at Luke Littler’s ‘showboating’ on live TV and screams ‘the peacockery… the plumage’
Mardle also highlighted a flaw to Littler's game last night
LUKE LITTLER'S performance against Rob Cross turned Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle into William Shakespeare.
Littler, 17, faced against off against Cross, 33, in the opening round of night 11 of the Darts Premier League at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham.
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After losing the first leg in their first to six match, Voltage put Littler under pressure by setting himself up with a 102 point checkout, with the teenager way behind on 204.
However, the Nuke was far from fazed as he stepped up to throw a magnificent 180 and ramp up the pressure on his world champion opponent.
Littler even had the poise to pause before his third dart, fly it into the treble 20... and follow through with an elaborate flourish.
That did not go unnoticed by Mardle, as he was left amazed at the teen's confidence.
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Mardle exclaimed: "Look at him showboating. Look at it!
"The peacockery, the plumage! 10,000 patrons in here loving it."
Not that Cross was put off by the "showboating" as he promptly dispatched his 102 checkout.
The pair went leg for leg in the quarter-final before the Premier League debutant won 6-5.
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However, Mardle was critical on the path Littler took to get there.
When needing a 73 checkout he attempted to checkout via treble 11 instead of treble 19. He missed the shot and was clearly angry with himself.
Luke Littler fails to equal Premier League record after losing to Michael van Gerwen in final
Mardle commented: "That was the wrong way to go. But sometimes you’ve got to play the probabilities.
“I think his head had gone for a second. Luke Littler has just got to watch himself here and recompose. He’s lost his mind for a second.
“He lost composure. Regained it and is in full flow again. Under pressure, Luke Littler is holding it together. He just rides this wave.";
Littler then played World No1, and Ally Pally conqueror, Luke Humphries, beating Cool Hand Luke with an identical score in the semi-final.
Having won the previous two Premier League Darts events, he had the chance to equal the record for the most in a row but fell to defeat against classy Michael van Gerwen in the final, who thrashed Littler 6-3.
Crucially the win over Humphries saw Littler extend his lead at the top of the Premier League table, but he admitted he isn't counting his chickens yet.
Speaking after the final, Littler said: "I know I’ve got the ability and know how to finish the job. I know if I win a few games then maybe I’m into the O2.
“But until my name has got a Q that means qualified next to it, that’s when I know I’m in.
"Ever since the format changed, everyone said that 24 is the go to number. But, like I said, once I’ve got that Q next to my name, I know I’m there."
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As well as on his throwing, Mardle also highlighted how Littler had changed the points within his darts, with his supplier Target Darts later confirming the change on social media.
It comes after Littler signed the "biggest deal in darts" to extend his deal with Target Darts in February.
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