PDC World Championship: Youngster Littler and Heta reach third round

Catch up on Thursday evening's action from Ally Pally:

Andrew Gilding (20) 1-3 Luke Littler (164)

Littler got an immediate break in the first leg of the match. Gilding exited via tops in 13 arrows to take the lead. Littler seemed unimpressed and threw the first 180 of the match in the second leg.

The breakback was a reality after the 16-year-old hit tops with his first attempt. Littler stayed 100 per cent on his doubles and managed to keep his own leg. Gilding briefly showed that his victory at the UK Open was no fluke, throwing out 130 to level. Littler started the fifth leg, which he won in 13 darts.

Gilding also hit his third attempt at the double after Littler had a chance to break in the first leg of the second set. Littler started his own second leg with 177, threw his third 180 two innings later and won the leg in 11 darts.

Gilding missed his first two darts on the double in Littler's leg and saw the youngster equalise. Leg number five was allowed to be started by the UK Open champion. Gilding got four darts for the set, kept missing and Littler erupted in joy as he was 2-0 ahead in sets.

First set loss for Littler

A loose dart by Littler gave him only one arrow on the double and he missed it. Gilding took advantage and led 1-0 in the third set via a break. Littler continued to miss chances on the doubles and Gilding cashed in on his break for 2-0.

The third leg also went to Gilding and he found a connection in the match. It was Littler's first set loss at the World Cup.

The doubles were hit a little less well by both men and it was Littler who took advantage and grabbed a break in the first leg. In his second leg, Littler threw his fifth 180 of the match but was broken back by further misses on the double.

Gilding missed the chance to claw his way back into the match and was broken again. This put Littler on match point and he was allowed to start the fourth leg.

Gilding took over the initiative, but missed two arrows on double 18, allowing Littler to tap in for the match on 35. He hit his first match dart, beating Gilding after Christian Kist.

Littler will take on Canadian Matt Campbell in the third round.

Danny Noppert (7) 0-3 Scott Williams (52)

Noppert flew out of the starting blocks by throwing out 170 in Williams' leg. The Englishman threw out 106 a leg later to break back.

The third leg also produced a break, taking Noppert to 2-1. Another break came after a 127 finish by Williams and a fifth leg had to bring decision. After a poor leg from Williams, Noppert looked to take the set, but The Freeze was not good on the doubles and from 80 the Englishman was first to keep his own leg and make it 1-0 in sets.

Unlike the first set, both men managed to keep their legs in the second set until 2-2.

This time Noppert got to start the fifth and deciding leg, but it was Williams who started with 180. Noppert was on 121 after nine arrows but failed to hit a double. Williams missed a dart on the bullseye for the break. Noppert did not go out and his misses were punished savagely.

Williams started the second leg of the third set with eight perfect darts and missed the double 18 by a hair. However, the break did take him to 2-0 and match point.

The third leg was a lot less from the Englishman and Noppert grabbed a break back. In the fourth leg, Williams again opened with 180 - his seventh of the match - and took over the initiative in the leg.

Williams threw the necessary double 10 with his second match dart and eliminated Noppert in straight sets.

Williams will play in the third round against the winner of the match between Martin Schindler and Jermaine Wattimena

Gabriel Clemens (22) 3-1 Man Lok Leung (-)

Both men threw their first 180 in the first leg, which went to the German after a break. Clemens cashed in on his break in leg two by throwing out 60. Leung got on the scoreboard in the third leg, but Clemens was allowed to start the fourth leg to win the set.

With the Hong Konger on 36, last year's semi-finalist threw out 140 to take his own leg and the set.

After Leung threw out 92 for the break in the first leg of the second set, he was immediately broken back by Clemens throwing Shanhai-20 a leg later.

Clemens escaped after Leung missed a handful of darts on the double to make it 2-1. Leung then held his own leg quite easily and Clemens was allowed to start the fifth leg.

The German got all the time he needed for 120, but again needed only one turn for it.

Leung finished 126 to keep his own first leg. A leg later, 52 went out for the break and leg three was started by Leung with his fourth 180 of the match.

The set went in straight legs to Leung, who scored a try to win the match again from 2-0 behind.

Through a break, Clemens gained a 2-0 lead in the fourth set and with it match point. Helped by his second 180 of the match, Clemens reached 43 and threw his second match dart into the double 16 for the match.

Clemens will play Dave Chisnall in the third round.

Damon Heta (10) 3-1 Martin Lukeman (36)

Both men managed to win their first two legs of their own and a fifth leg had to bring a decision in the first set. Heta got to start that one and with Lukeman on 70, the Australian threw out 68 for the first set.

The first leg of the second set produced a break for Heta. The break was cashed in quite easily and Lukeman had to hold his own third leg to stay in the set. Heta took over the initiative and also took the second set after Lukeman still had a chance to stay in the set.

Heta gave Lukeman the chance to break in the first leg of the third set and the Englishman seized the opportunity.

Lukeman cashed in on his break and seemed to find a way back into the match. Heta made his presence felt by throwing out 110 in his own leg - the first 100+ finish of the match. Lukeman was not in trouble in his own leg and took the set.

Heta too strong

Lukeman was broken again in the first leg of the fourth set and Heta seemed to be on his way to victory. The break was cashed in a leg later and Heta reached match point.

Helped by his seventh 180 of the match, Heta took the initiative in Lukeman's leg. He got a full turn for 32 and hit the second match dart on double 8.

Heta will play the winner of the match between Josh Rock and Berry van Peer in the third round.