Luke Littler told get off your a**e by James Wade as The Nuke falls short as a film critic
The Nuke is so relaxed he slept through movie but he's wide awake at the Winter Gardens and on fire
Dozy Luke Littler is ready to swing hard for a Triple Crown having fallen asleep while watching Happy Gilmore 2.
The Nuke will meet James Wade in tonight’s Final as he aims to replace The Machine as the youngest-ever winner of the Betfred World Matchplay.
LIttler has been in relaxed mood all week in Blackpool and so comfortable that he ended up having a nap when trying to catch the new comedy golf movie.
Asked for a quick film review, he said: “I fell asleep 20 minutes in. That was before the game against Andrew Gilding. I didn’t have much sleep, so I slept through the day and missed it.”
Littler has been wide awake on the stage, however, with his magical work culminating in a nine-darter during an epic semi-final success over Josh Rock.
Both he and his Northern Irish pal were on the 141 finish after six perfect darts each to start leg eight, but The Nuke didn’t even give his mate a shot at it as he pinned the finale.
Michael van Gerwen missed double 12 after eight perfect darts before Michael Smith hit the finish in what was previously dubbed darts’ greatest-ever leg.
But no shot was missed in the Littler/Rock leg and he said: “I think it is the greatest. All of them trebles and the double was perfect.”
While it’s Littler’s first Matchplay Final, it will be a seventh for The Machine who was in one before the superkid was born and secured the title in 2007 when The Nuke was less than one year old.
The pair warmed together before their semis as Littler amusingly revealed: “We practised. Done a little 121 to 170 check-outs. He literally told me: Get up off your a**e and practise with me, 121! I went: Alright, okay James! We talk a little bit backstage, but I’m sure we’ll both be focused.
“I’ve still got the win over him there [UK Open Final], so I know the feeling of getting a major win over him. “But he’s been here plenty of times, he’s experienced, whatever happens on a day, the better player will win and I’m sure it’ll be a good game. 2007? I was only just born. But yeah, I’ve got plenty of time to think about it and try and pick up the trophy. But now I’m here, now I’m in the final, it’s obviously all eyes on that trophy.
“The experienced guys, they’re still here, they’ve got the experience there, but for myself I’ve got a lot of experience of picking up the World Championship and I think I’ve settled into almost every competition that I walk into. I’m sure it’ll be a great game.
“Like I said, it goes to show how these experienced boys, they’re still hanging around, they’re still plodding along. James, he’s one of the very best. But obviously, I’ve come along, I’ve done what I’ve done and all eyes on the Final. I’ve been relaxed all week long. There’s no need to start putting pressure on myself, saying you’ve got to win this, you’ve got to do this. If it comes, it comes, if it happens, it happens, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. So far it’s been good, but for myself it all lies on tomorrow.
“It’s going to be special either way. It’s been a long time since I picked up a trophy, winner or runner-up. Win or lose, just take it on the chin. Obviously I want to get the win, I won’t be putting pressure on myself. The Triple Crown’s there to be won and we’ll just see how it goes.”
Littler had a burst against Rock which was jaw-dropping as he fought back from 6-1 down and he admitted: “I’m going out in 11, 12, maybe even 13 each leg. Obviously you feel unbeatable in the moment and for myself, as soon as that first treble of 20 lands right on top of the bottom wire, it’s just perfect because you know as a player most of the time you’re going to fill it up.”