Cam Crabtree knocks Luke Littler out of the World Youth Championship

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Cam Crabtree, 22, has beaten world number one Luke Littler 6-5 in the World Youth Championship semi-finals at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan, Darts World reports. The averages could hardly have been closer, with Crabtree on 97.91 and Littler on 97.89. Darts World described it as "a proper shoot-out." Crabtree had already secured an Alexandra Palace place through the Development Tour Order of Merit, and he held his nerve when it mattered

Littler had come into the event after his first round exit at the World Grand Prix, and the youth title would have made him the first player to hold the senior and youth world titles at the same time. His route to the semi-finals included wins over Lewis Cook, David Fidler, Archie Self and Harrison Leigh. The Cook match, which he won 6-4 with both players averaging around 100, was the only real scare until the semi-final

In the other semi-final, Jan Schmidt beat Charlie Manby 6-3. The final between Crabtree and Schmidt is best of 11 legs and will be played at Butlin's Minehead on 29 November during the Players Championship Finals. The winner also earns a place in the Grand Slam of Darts. Defending champion Gian van Veen did not take part

Two early exits in a week is unusual for Littler, who has dominated darts for the last two years. As the DartsNews editorial we discussed on Monday pointed out, the depth of talent in darts is growing. Littler is still clearly the best player in the world. But young players like Crabtree are no longer intimidated by him

Is this just a blip for Littler, or are his rivals catching up? And can Crabtree go on and win the youth title?

Crabtree Halts Littler to Earn World Youth Final Spot | Darts World Magazinedartsworld.com