Summary

  • Results: Gian van Veen 3-1 Alan Soutar, Nathan Aspinall 3-0 Leonard Gates, Luke Humphries 3-0 Paul Lim, Charlie Manby 3-0 Adam Sevada

  • Dutch 10th seed Van Veen averages 108.28 in victory over Scotland's Soutar

  • 2024 world champion Humphries drops just one leg in convincing victory against 71-year-old Lim

Send us your darts views

Send us your views. We will only ever publish a first name.

Live Reporting

Emma Smith

  1. Humphries 2-0 Lim (2-1)

    A wry smile from Lim, and a handshake with Luke Humphries. Huge respect there.

    But Humphries has the darts and wants this done.

    The second seed needs 79 to win this match.

  2. Lim wins a leg

    Humphries 2-0 Lim (2-1)

    A 25 means Lim gets two at tops, but misses them both.

    However Humphries misses a match dart, leaving the 71-year-old with three at D20...

    AND HE GETS IT! That's the most popular leg won at these entire championships.

  3. Humphries 2-0 Lim (2-0)

    The crowd have not lost their admiration for Paul Lim after those misses, the Singapore Slinger with his name still being sung all around the arena.

    Lim is frustrated with himself for not yet grabbing a leg, even though Humphries has taken his foot off the gas in this third set.

    How about now? He needs 65...

  4. Humphries 2-0 Lim (2-0)

    Luke Humphries throws a dartPA Media

    Lim hits 120 to give himself three at D10. Can he do it?

    First is wide, and the second lands in D6. So he needs D4.

    And wide! A big chance missed.

    Humphries cleans up and is a leg away from a clean sweep.

  5. Humphries 2-0 Lim (1-0)

    Luke Humphries has won five of the first seven legs in 15 darts or fewer. He has not been messing around.

    But what's this? Another maximum for Paul Lim! He's first to a finish, against the darts...

  6. Humphries 2-0 Lim (1-0)

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    Paul Lim has just fed on scraps. He will just keep chipping away, he's been in this game long enough to know he's being beaten by a special performance here.

    Unless there's a huge drop-off, Humphries will comfortably book his spot in the third round.

  7. Humphries 2-0 Lim (1-0)

    Paul Lim leads us off in set three, but Luke Humphries is soon setting the tempo.

    A 140 visit gets Humphries to an 83 checkout - but the Leeds man doesn't take it, it seems like he miscounted! Humphries taps his head in confusion and frustration.

    Still, he sees out the break. Seven legs in a row for Humphries.

  8. Humphries 2-0 Lim (0-0)

    Paul Lim has averaged 92 in this match and has made six 140-plus visits. He is playing well.

    But he is also playing Luke Humphries - which has left him with just one dart at doubles in this entire fixture.

  9. Humphries 2-0 Lim (0-0)

    Luke HumphriesPA Media

    An average of 115.62 from Luke Humphries in set two, with five 140-plus visits.

    He is leaving no room for romance tonight, and Paul Lim needs a Christmas miracle.

  10. Humphries wins second set

    Humphries 2-0 Lim (3-0)

    Both men exchange 140s, then Paul Lim bags another. He's still in this match.

    Lim needs 138 to check out - but it won't go, leaving Humphries with three set darts at D16.

    And the second seed makes it. Six legs on the spin for Humphries.

  11. Humphries 1-0 Lim (2-0)

    Luke Humphries throws a dartPA Media

    Luke Humphries averaged 125 in the first two legs of set two, Paul Lim averaged 78. Levels.

  12. Humphries 1-0 Lim (2-0)

    Paul Lim's momentum is flagging a bit, he's straying into the ones and singles.

    He bags a 140 to boost the crowd, but Luke Humphries is already on a finish.

    The Leeds United fan has three at D18 to break - and needs just one.

  13. Get Involved

    I'm in the USA watching the darts! As a Yorkshireman who played a lot of pub darts in my youth, I still enjoy watching the game being played by the best in the world.

    Graham, Atlanta

  14. Humphries 1-0 Lim (1-0)

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    Luke Humphries seems in the mood to not be hanging around tonight. He wants to get this done and get himself home for Christmas.

  15. Humphries 1-0 Lim (1-0)

    The German Giant, Gabriel Clemens, awaits the winner of this one.

    Luke Humphries leads us off in set two, and is continuing to look in perfect fettle. A maximum sets up a finish of 81, with Paul Lim well back.

    It's an 11-dart visit for Humphries, and four legs on the spin without reply.

  16. Humphries 1-0 Lim (0-0)

    Dan Dawson
    Commentator on Sky Sports

    A couple of little looks at things for Paul Lim, but fleeting ones. A strong start for Luke Humphries.

  17. Humphries 1-0 Lim (3-0)

    Luke HumphriesPA Media

    Luke Humphries averaged 102 in the first set.

    Cool Hand is living up to his name, doing what he needs to in keeping Lim and all his goodwill in check.

  18. Humphries wins first set

    Humphries 1-0 Lim (3-0)

    Luke Humphries narrowly misses a 161 checkout, leaving Lim needing 167.

    Lim buries the T20, but misses T19... and Humphries wraps up the set with D8.

    Dominant from the second seed.

  19. Humphries 0-0 Lim (2-0)

    Paul Lim throws a dartPA Media

    Paul Lim is allowing himself a small smile as seemingly every fan in Ally Pally chants his name.

    And remember, Luke Humphries went 2-0 up in 2021 before Lim came back to win...

  20. Humphries 0-0 Lim (2-0)

    Paul Lim doesn't look overawed at all. He's throwing well in the early stages, and the crowd are very much on his side.

    Luke Humphries however is a former champion for a reason, and a 140 sets up a finish of 87.

    He's well off his mark though, allowing Lim a chance at 112 - T20, single 12... millimetres away from tops!

    Humphries sees it through, but that will put him on notice.