WARRINGTON'S rising darts star Luke Littler retained his JDC Super 16 title in Milton Keynes on Sunday.

The 16-year-old Padgate Academy student did so after defeating Thomas Banks 5-3 in a sensational final at the Marshall Arena.

Littler, who whitewashed Eleanor Cairns to lift the title 12 months ago, came out on top in a thrilling contest to continue his remarkable progress in the sport.

JDC world junior champion Littler, 'The Nuke', relinquished only three legs in November’s qualifying event to seal his place in the final, while Banks - who topped this year’s JDC Super 16 Order of Merit - also progressed in style.

The pair served up one of the greatest finals in JDC history, played on the Marshall Arena stage ahead of the Cazoo Masters quarter-finals.

Reigning champion Littler drew first blood in Sunday’s showpiece, before Banks followed up the game’s first maximum with a clinical 81 finish on the bullseye for a 12-dart leveller.

Littler replied with a 12-darter of his own, converting a sublime 140 checkout to regain the lead, before extending his cushion with a 14-darter via double one.

Banks punished five missed darts at double from the 16-year-old to reduce the arrears to 3-2, and he continued his charge with a 14-dart hold to restore parity at three apiece.

However, the Harlow ace was unable to register a dart at double for a 103 checkout in leg seven and Littler capitalised, following up a two-dart 89 finish with a 13-dart break to secure the title.