Humphries beats Van Gerwen to win Matchplay title

Luke Humphries added nan World Matchplay title to his World Championship crown pinch a thrilling 18-15 conclusion of Michael van Gerwen.

The 29-year-old Englishman stayed composed to spot disconnected a fightback from his Dutch rival astatine Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

Humphries sealed triumph by hitting double 20 doubly arsenic Van Gerwen threatened to reel him in.

He is only nan 4th man to triumph some events successful nan aforesaid twelvemonth aft Van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Phil Taylor.

"Honestly, I've felt much emotion than erstwhile I won nan worlds. I americium going to watch backmost that double tops 100 times tonight. I consciousness truthful blessed to person my sanction connected that trophy," said Humphries aft clinching a 5th awesome title successful nan abstraction of 9 months.

"I americium perfectly complete nan moon. I americium emotional, it really intends nan world to me."

Despite losing their past 7 encounters, Van Gerwen had vowed to "teach a lesson" to his opponent.

Humphries averaged much than 104 - 11 much than his force - successful nan opening 5 legs but still went to nan first break 3-2 down.

He made his scoring powerfulness count pinch 4 consecutive legs to return power of nan lucifer and erstwhile Van Gerwen collapsed his throw, Humphries instantly deed backmost pinch a superb 141 checkout to return nan 12th leg.

The Dutchman upped his game, closed connected nan averages and finishes of 106 and 110 saw him level nan title astatine 12-12.

Humphries fought backmost and took retired 131 to spell 16-13 up earlier Van Gerwen deed 160 and 108 checkouts to trim nan deficit, but he missed 4 darts astatine nan double erstwhile poised to level.

He had 3 much chances again to return nan adjacent limb but Humphries checked retired connected 100 pinch double double tops to clinch victory.