Luke Littler defeated by Michael Smith, putting play-off hopes in jeopardy

LUKE LITTLER is still in search of his first ever Premier League win.

The teenage sensation saw his eighth attempt at going all the way end prematurely with defeat to Michael Smith in Dublin.

Littler could not beat the number three in the world, who secured his place in the semi-finals with a 6-4 victory.

The Nuke failed to reach the treble 20 all that often, while his average was just 97.52 – one of his lowest Premier League results of the season.

Smith has now gained the upper hand over the youngster in Cardiff, Brighton and Dublin during the campaign.

It is a result that opens up the top spots in the Premier League and could threaten Littler’s hopes of a play-off place.

Smith will now face Gerwyn Price after the Welshman defeated Michael van Gerwen in a thrilling match for their quarter-final.

Littler, on the other hand, will have to continue to wait for his chance to enter the Premier League winner’s circle in his debut season in the competition.

The 17-year-old has failed to translate his trophy-winning form from elsewhere into the Premier League.

He has already been claimed at both the Bahrain Master and Belgian Darts Open this season since bursting onto the scene with his efforts at the World Championships.

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Littler is aware that he must improve his game in the Premier League if he is to break his duck.

And the boy from Warrington made that clear even before his loss when speaking to Sky Sports.

He said: “It’s my first year at Prem. Some weeks went according to plan and some weeks didn’t.

“But it’s all about getting the points on the board. This is clearly the halfway point, whatever happens from now until the end is the crucial part of the Prem.”