Postpublished at 22:04 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 2-1 Cross (0-0)
Luke Littler's average is up to 105. Scary stuff.
Summary
Fourth round begins at Alexandra Palace
Luke Littler continues title defence
RESULT: Luke Littler 4-2 Rob Cross in last 16
Ryan Searle beats James Hurrell 4-0 in opening fourth-round tie
Josh Rock beat Callan Rydz 4-1 to conclude third round
Afternoon session results (third round): Justin Hood 4-1 Ryan Meikle, Ricky Evans 2-4 Charlie Manby, Nathan Aspinall 3-4 Kevin Doets
20-year-old Manby sets up last-16 tie against 10th seed Gian van Veen
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Postpublished at 22:04 GMT 29 December 2025
Postpublished at 22:04 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 2-1 Cross
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
Image source, Getty ImagesDon't poke the bear. What a response to losing your first set in the World Championship. My goodness.
13, 11 and 12-dart legs from Littler.
Littler retakes leadpublished at 22:04 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 2-1 Cross (3-0)
Image source, Getty ImagesLuke Littler swats Rob Cross aside with a stunning 128 finish on the bull.
It just looks like losing that set has annoyed him. Don't poke the bear and all that.
Postpublished at 22:03 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-1 Cross (2-0)
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky SportsYou do know they are going to come and as an opponent you hope they came for a set, not a set and half or two sets.
Rob Cross will know he's miles behind at the moment.
Postpublished at 22:03 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-1 Cross (2-0)
Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky SportsJust when we thought Rob Cross might be able to get his nose in front, Luke Littler has won two legs in 24 darts. He's in total control of this set.
You know these surges are going to come when you're playing Luke Littler.
Littler breaks with 11-darterpublished at 22:02 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-1 Cross (2-0)
Luke Littler is bang on it. He takes a two-leg lead with an 11-dart leg.
Rob Cross can't compete when he's throwing like this.
Littler breakspublished at 22:00 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-1 Cross (1-0)
Luke Littler takes control of the leg despite it being on the Rob Cross throw.
Littler's 180 means he needs 86 with Cross on 90 but Littler misses the dart at the double.
Cross gets a dart at the bull... Missed. Back comes Littler to win the leg.
Postpublished at 21:59 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-1 Cross (0-0)
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
Image source, PA MediaI think this has got spice written all over it. I love a spicy contest.
We don't know when an Ally Pally is going to happen or evolve, but I am just hoping. There is something in it.
Postpublished at 21:58 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-1 Cross (0-0)
Thanks for getting in touch, Chris.
The Big Fish is the 170 finish.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 21:57 GMT 29 December 2025
Use the 'Send us your darts views' button on this page
Luke L has really got me into this amazing game and trying to understand the jargon. Great coverage, keep up the good work. P.S. What is the Big Fish? Every day school day
Chris, Ayrshire
Cross wins the second setpublished at 21:53 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-1 Cross (1-3)
Image source, PA MediaLuke Littler goes double-double. He gets the first but misses tops.
Over to you, Rob Cross. He misses the first at double 16. He doesn't miss the second.
Littler has finally lost a set.
Postpublished at 21:52 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-0 Cross (1-2)
Rob Cross is playing much better. He drops two in the treble 19 but Luke Littler drops in a max.
Cross is on 170 and leaves 72 with Littler on 96.
Can Cross take the first set off Littler in this competition? No, he misses double 16.
Postpublished at 21:51 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-0 Cross (1-2)
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky SportsThis is a big leg already. Not necessarily for Luke Littler, but for Rob Cross it feels must win already.
Littler holdspublished at 21:50 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-0 Cross (1-2)
Luke Littler doesn't threaten the 170 but looks set to take the leg and he does so by nailing tops.
This feels like a massive leg now for Rob Cross.
Postpublished at 21:49 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-0 Cross (0-2)
Luke Littler looks slightly annoyed so he responds with a 180 but Rob Cross throws one of his own to claw his way back in the leg.
Littler leaves the big fish with Cross on 196.
Cross holdspublished at 21:48 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-0 Cross (0-2)
Image source, PA MediaNo, he can't. Poor.
Luke Littler can't break straight back as he misses his 10th dart at a double and Rob Cross nails double 10 for the leg.
Postpublished at 21:47 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-0 Cross (0-1)
Rob Cross is sat on 210 with Luke Littler further back on 262. It's better from Cross.
He finds a 134 but Littler piles the pressure on with a maximum.
Can Cross hit 76?
Postpublished at 21:46 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-0 Cross (0-1)
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky SportsI love that from Rob Cross. That is 'I'm still here' from him. He's finding his flow and that celebration was for one person: Luke Littler.
Cross breaks with 100+ finishpublished at 21:45 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-0 Cross (0-1)
Image source, PA MediaRob Cross slams in a 180 to kick the leg off and follows it up with 129 but it's Luke Littler who is in control of this one.
He can't hit the double though and Cross has a sniff of a chance on 109. He finds the treble and needs double 16...
BANG.
Postpublished at 21:42 GMT 29 December 2025
Littler 1-0 Cross (0-0)
Luke Littler is currently 97.83, with Rob Cross back on 89.35.
You get the feeling they may ramp up soon enough.