Luke Humphries showed his true colours by giving some banter back to the lively fans in Nottingham ahead of his Premier League Darts clash against Michael Smith tonight. In a rematch of last week’s final in Brighton, Humphries entertained the crowd and continued his wave of momentum by coming out on top in a 6-4 win.
The world No. 1 has enjoyed a love-hate relationship of sorts with live darts fans since ending Luke Littler’s fantasy run to the World Darts Championship final at the start of the year.
Humphries has faced some hostility from crowds while he’s soared to the summit of darts but has consistently shown his class with how he has dealt with becoming the man to beat on the oche.
And it was no different this evening as the darts fans present in Nottingham showed their support for Smith ahead of the pair’s mouth-watering quarter-final clash.
As both players prepared to throw some practice darts, Humphries’ name was booed by some sections of the arena crowd, prompting Smith to produce a subtle gesture to tell them to stop.
Chants of “we all hate Leeds scum” then erupted, a popular chant poking fun at Humphries’ beloved football club, Leeds United, sung by rival fanbases.
And Cool Hand proved he could handle the heat by returning a playful smile before fist-pumping his chest, known as the Leeds Salute at Elland Road.
Humphries set the pace with an early 180 and 135 in the opening leg, resulting in a routine hold of throw after missing two doubles.
Both players produced 180s in the second leg before Smith held his throw with double five, holding his nerve after missing a couple of doubles with Humphries lingering on a finish.
But last week’s champion then put on the burners and soared to a 4-1 lead to take control of the contest.
In leg three, he missed double 20 to check out 116 before hitting it at the second time of asking. A break of Smith’s throw followed, notching a 134 before sticking the arrow dead centre of tops again.
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