LUKE Littler is safely through to the quarter-finals of the New Zealand Darts Masters.

He will be back for tomorrow’s finals day after eventually seeing off a strong challenge from home darter Jonny Tata in Hamilton.

The Warringtonian teenager won 6-3 to join his seven fellow PDC representatives in the quarter-finals, which will start tomorrow morning UK time followed swiftly by the semis and the final.

“I felt really good coming into the game, and I’m glad I could take that on to the stage", admitted the 17-year-old sensation.

“It just didn’t happen in the final last weekend, so I had to pick myself up and go again, and I’m happy with that performance.

“I would love to win over here and get another title under my belt. It would mean a lot to win this, and I cannot wait to play again.”

It looked set to be a routine win for Littler after he strode out to a 2-0 lead with legs of 13 and 12 darts respectively but Tata, who shocked two-time world champion Peter Wright in this tournament last year, responded strongly to level the match at 2-2

Again, Littler took command to move into a 4-2 lead, but a stunning checkout of 155 from Tata allowed him to break the Littler throw and stay alive at 4-3.

However, the 17-year-old swiftly regained composure, immediately recording the third consecutive break of throw and this time consolidating with a hold to seal victory with an impressive match average of 102.24.

He will face St Helens’ Michael Smith in the quarters, with the action again getting underway at 8am UK time live on ITVX.