Luke Humphries kicked off the BetMGM Premier League 2025 with a stellar performance, securing a resounding 6-1 victory over Chris Dobey in the Night One final held in Belfast. Humphries set the tone early on, swiftly taking a commanding 3-0 lead with a combination of impressive 128 and 100 checkouts. Dobey, on the other hand, struggled with his doubles, allowing the world No 1 Humphries to further solidify his lead with another flawless 100 finish. Despite a valiant effort by ‘Hollywood,’ Humphries sealed the deal on tops, showcasing an outstanding 86 percent accuracy on the doubles to clinch a decisive win.
Dominating the Premier League Table
As a result of his stellar performance, Humphries now stands atop the Premier League table with five points, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead. Reflecting on his triumph, Humphries expressed his satisfaction with his strong start, emphasizing the challenges of the league. “I think this is the hardest Premier League for a long time. Nights like this might not happen as much as you want,” Humphries shared with Sky Sports. Acknowledging his past struggles, he expressed relief at finally starting the season on a positive note, aiming to replicate his success from the previous year.
A Thrilling Road to Victory
In a thrilling encounter against Michael van Gerwen, Humphries showcased his resilience and skill, clinching a 6-5 last-leg shoot-out to secure a spot in the final. Van Gerwen mounted an impressive comeback, narrowing the gap to 4-3 after being initially down 3-1. However, Humphries maintained his composure and regaining control, ultimately reaching the final with a silky 120 checkout that put him on the brink of victory. With the match culminating in a decider, Humphries capitalized on missed opportunities by the Dutchman, seizing the moment with a clutch 45 finish on D16 to emerge victorious.
Dobey’s journey to the final was equally captivating, as he secured a hard-fought 6-4 win over Rob Cross, punctuated by remarkable ‘Big Fish’ and ‘Shanghai’ checkouts. The quarter-finals of the Premier League night in Belfast were filled with excitement, as Gerwyn Price fell to Dobey 6-4 in a gripping opener, while Cross held off a resilient Stephen Bunting to claim a 6-4 victory. Humphries continued his impressive form, comfortably defeating Nathan Aspinall 6-2 to advance to the next stage.
The night also witnessed a riveting showdown between van Gerwen and Luke Littler, with van Gerwen avenging his World Darts Championship final defeat by clinching a thrilling final-leg decider. Littler’s historic performance, marked by an extraordinary 113.91 losing average, kept fans on the edge of their seats, with the match culminating in a spectacular finish. Despite a valiant effort by Littler, van Gerwen’s experience and precision ultimately secured him a hard-fought victory.
The upcoming Premier League matches promise to deliver more excitement and drama, with Sky Sports serving as the exclusive platform for live coverage throughout the season. Fans can look forward to an array of thrilling competitions, including the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and more, all available for streaming on NOW for an unparalleled viewing experience.
