Luke Littler OUT of Dutch Darts Masters after losing to Stephen Bunting in semi-final shootout

LUKE LITTLER crashed out of the Dutch Darts Masters after losing to Stephen Bunting in the semis.

The world champion was hoping to beat his rival again, having knocked Bunting out at Ally Pally earlier this month.

Kelly Deckers

Luke Littler crashed out of the Dutch Darts Masters to Stephen Bunting[/caption]

Kelly Deckers

Bunting won a tense shootout 7-6 to reach the final[/caption]

Kelly Deckers

The two men played out a thrilling game[/caption] https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1883255126665605334

But Littler was unable to get the better of him for a second time, with Bunting going on to lose 8-5 in the final to Rob Cross.

The 18-year-old was sent packing in the semis just an hour after demolishing Michael van Gerwen in the quarters.

Littler led 3-1 at one stage before collapsing to a 7-6 defeat.

He even finished with a tournament-high average of 107.59.

By comparison, Bunting averaged 99.55 but hit 50 per cent of his checkouts to Littler’s 43.

Bunting was also able to take out an impressive finish of 125, with Littler managing just a 56.

But it was the whizz kid who hit the most 180s with seven to Bunting’s five.

Fans certainly loved Bunting’s epic win to set up a final against either Rob Cross, who beat Gerwyn Price 7-3 in the other semi.

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One said: “Bunting is in unreal form, joy to watch.”

Another declared: “Woooow! This is unbelievable.”

ITV

One noted: “Look what happens when Bunting plays aggressively with self-belief.”

Another added: “It’s a Stephen Bunting world and we just exist in it.”