Darts referee hit back at fans after Luke Littler is jeered during Winmau Masters opener - despite teenage star needing just 10 minutes to secure win
Darts referee hit back at fans after Luke Littler is jeered during Winmau Masters opener - despite teenage star needing just 10 minutes to secure win
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The referee was forced to intervene after whistles were heard during Luke Littler's opening match at the Winmau Masters. Littler made an impressive start to the tournament in Milton Keynes as he got the better of Andy Baetens in just ten minutes. World champion Littler, 18, secured a 3-0 victory and will now face James Wade on Saturday in the last-16. Littler took out six of his nine checkouts and averaged 104.33.
![[Littler got the better of Andy Baetens in just ten minutes as he secured a 3-0 victory]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/01/15/94753395-14349635-Littler_got_the_better_of_Andy_Baetens_in_just_ten_minutes_as_he-a-8_1738422125274.jpg)
Wade made it through after winning 3-2 against Mike De Decker. However, Littler's game was overshadowed by a hostile crowd. The referee intervened after whistles were heard during Luke Littler's opening match at the Winmau Masters. Littler got the better of Andy Baetens in just ten minutes as he secured a 3-0 victory. Darts commentator John Rawling was also angry at the actions of the fans during the match between Littler and Baetens (pictured).
![[Darts commentator John Rawling was also angry at the actions of the fans during the match between Littler and Baetens (pictured)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/01/15/94753785-14349635-Darts_commentator_John_Rawling_was_also_angry_at_the_actions_of_-a-10_1738422125285.jpg)
At one stage referee Kirk Bevins had to issue a warning to spectators. Ahead of the final leg Bevins shouted: 'Stop whistling, thank you'. ITV commentator John Rawling was left angry with the actions of fans and described them as 'morons'. During his coverage Rawling said: 'What sort of a moron comes along to a big darts event and starts whistling?'. Littler was crowned world champion after he defeated Michael van Gerwen last month.
![[Michael van Gerwen also made it through as he secured a 3-1 victory over Bradley Brooks]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/01/15/94754373-14349635-image-a-39_1738422507774.jpg)
'My finishing was very good tonight and it needed to be, because Andy is a dangerous player,' Littler told the PDC's official website after beating Baetens. 'I would love to win another major title, and obviously this would be a new major to add to the list, but it's a very strong field, so I'm just going to focus on tomorrow.'. Van Gerwen also progressed after a 3-1 win over Bradley Brooks. Michael van Gerwen also made it through as he secured a 3-1 victory over Bradley Brooks.
