Littler & Banks to contest 2023 JDC Super 16 final in January

Luke Littler (PDC)

Luke Littler and Thomas Banks will get their chance to enjoy a taste of the big stage in January when they compete in the 2023 JDC Super 16 final.

Reigning champion Littler will be featuring in his third consecutive Super 16 final, having defeated Eleanor Cairns to prevail in this year’s Milton Keynes showpiece.

Teenage sensation Littler will be bidding to defend his title at the Marshall Arena after relinquishing just three legs during last Saturday’s event in Coventry.

The 15-year-old stormed through the group phase in emphatic style, before following up a whitewash win over Joshua Bean by recording wins over Ben Gamble and Mason Teese in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.

Meanwhile, Banks – who topped this year's JDC Super 16 Order of Merit - kicked off his campaign with successive whitewash victories, only to suffer defeat to Scotland's Scott Smith in his final group stage tie.

However, Banks swept aside Adam Dee in the last 16 before averaging 94 to complete a 4-1 win over Shoey Ayres, and he booked his place in January’s showcase with a 5-1 semi-final success against Jenson Walker.

The final will be played at around 1200 GMT ahead of the Cazoo Masters quarter-finals on Sunday January 29, as the pair battle it out for glory in Milton Keynes.

The JDC Super 16 final is the first big event for the organisation in 2023, although this will be preceded by the 2023 JDC UK Qualifying School on January 21-22.

The two-day event will see some of the sport’s brightest young stars competing for up to eight places on the 2023 Advanced Tour, which offers players the opportunity to qualify for the JDC World Championship.