image source, Getty Images
Luke Humphries (left) defeated Nathan Aspinall (right) 6-4 in the semi-final in Dublin to reach the final for the third consecutive year.
Luke Humphries believes there are only two players in the world who can beat him on his current form after winning Round 8 of the Premier League Darts in Dublin.
World champion Humphries defeated Michael Smith 6-2 in the final, earning his third consecutive victory in the tournament.
Humphries currently has a seven-point lead over the lead.
“I'm not arrogant at all,” Humphries told Sky Sports.
“But I feel like if I play the 'A' level game, there are only a few people who can test me in that way. Pushing me and their 'A' level up.” I think there are two people who can beat me: Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen.'' ”
Humphrys averaged over 105 in wins over Smith, Nathan Aspinall and Peter Wright in Dublin, winning on the trot on week three, and also recently won at Brighton and Nottingham.
Humphries, 29, added: “Anything can happen and if we don't keep playing like this, we're going to get beat by anybody.”
“Especially in the last six or seven months I feel like I'm playing the best darts in the world. But there are so many great players out there that anything can happen every week.”
Humphries increased his lead over leader Michael van Gerwen after the Dutchman lost to Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals.
Welshman Price ended a run of four consecutive quarter-final defeats with a dramatic 6-5 victory.
Price led 4-1 and missed a match dart against Van Gerwen, but won 6-5.
It was Van Gerwen's fourth successive quarter-final defeat after winning three in a row in Berlin, Glasgow and Newcastle earlier this year.
Price missed out on a chance to reach the final for the first time since the opening round in Cardiff, missing a dart at bull in a 6-5 loss to Smith in the semi-final, with Smith winning the deciding leg with a 104 checkout.
Littler lost in the quarterfinals to Smith, dropping his ranking from third to fifth. Despite leading 3-1, Smith rallied and took advantage of Littler's instability to win 6-4.
Smith moved up two spots from sixth to fourth with wins over Littler and Price.
Night nine of the league phase will be held in Belfast on Thursday 28th March.
premier league darts table
8th night results
Luke Humphries 6-1 Peter Wright
Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Rob Cross
Michael van Gerwen 5-6 Gerwyn Price
Luke Littler 4-6 Michael Smith
