Manchester magic strikes as Stockport star battles back from 3-0 down to claim vital win in playoff race
Nathan Aspinall delivered a sensational performance on home turf in Manchester to secure his first nightly win of the 2025 BetMGMUK Premier League Darts season, defeating world number one Luke Humphries 6–4 in a pulsating final that had fans on their feet.
After enduring a difficult start to the year, including a struggle with form and a lingering arm injury, The Asp has recently found fresh gear—his maiden European Tour title just weeks ago being the first glimpse. On Thursday night, he brought his trademark grit, determination, and crowd-fuelled energy to full effect to down one of the game’s current giants in dramatic fashion.
🚀 From 0–3 Down to Manchester Glory
Humphries, who had earlier hit the third-highest average in Premier League Darts history, came out flying. He broke Aspinall in the first leg with a clinical 69 checkout and was nearly unplayable through the opening stages, racing to a 3-0 lead and having darts for 4-0. It looked like another dominant display was on the cards.
But that’s where the tide turned.
Aspinall dug in with a 180 to ignite his recovery and managed to hold throw after a rare miss from Humphries on 65. The Stockport man then broke with an 11-darter (nearly a 10-darter) to claw it back to 3-2, with double 18 coming to his rescue multiple times throughout the match.
By the time he pinned another double 18 to level the score at 3-3, the Manchester crowd sensed something special was unfolding.
🎯 High Drama and Missed Opportunities
Both players had their chances as the match grew more tense. Humphries missed a key bullseye for 80, and Aspinall made him pay with a composed 66 checkout. He then narrowly missed a 154 finish before closing out the leg on return to go 5-3 ahead.
Humphries briefly halted the surge by holding with a double 10 to cut the deficit to 5-4, but Aspinall came flying out of the blocks with six perfect darts to threaten a nine-darter in the final leg.
Although the nine-dart dream fell short, he left 36 and eventually found the winning double—after both players had nervy misses—to seal a massive two points and a £10,000 bonus.
📊 Match Stats: A Closer Look
| Statistic | Nathan Aspinall | Luke Humphries |
|---|---|---|
| Average (3 Darts) | 93.29 | 98.55 |
| 100+ Scores | 10 | 15 |
| 140+ Scores | 7 | 7 |
| 180s | 5 | 2 |
| Highest Checkout | 66 | 69 |
| 100+ Checkouts | 0 | 0 |
| Checkout % | 33.3% (6/18) | 22.2% (4/18) |
🏆 What It Means
With this win, Nathan Aspinall overtakes Michael van Gerwen in the table and keeps his playoff hopes burning. His journey back to the top tier of the sport is gathering pace, and with the Manchester crowd firmly behind him, it’s clear he’s rediscovered the fire that once made him one of the most feared finishers on the tour.
As for Humphries, he remains a dominant force, but this loss serves as a reminder that no match is over until the final double is hit—especially against someone with Aspinall’s fighting spirit.
Ben Evans is a passionate darts writer with a keen eye for statistics and news. With years of experience following the PDC scene, Ben brings in-depth coverage of tournaments, player performances, and emerging dart trends. Known for his detailed analysis and love for the game, he keeps fans updated with the latest stats, match insights, and memorable moments. When he’s not covering the action on the oche, Ben enjoys a game of darts, staying sharp on the sport he loves.