WARRINGTON darts star Luke Littler returned to action in the World Matchplay at Blackpool Winter Gardens.

But the 17-year-old's debut in the competition was ended at the first hurdle by three-times past winner Michael van Gerwen.

The Dutchman led for most of the contest and ran out the 10-6 victor.

Both throwers averaged over 100, a world-class standard, but at times also got a bit sloppy.

The key pointers to the result were Littler's 16 trebleless visits compared to 10 for MVG, who achieved 21 100-plus scores in contrast to the Warringtonian's 13.

The only time 'The Nuke' led was when he broke Van Gerwen to go 2-1 in front, but the response was immediate as matters were levelled again and MVG went into the first break 3-2 in front.

That became 5-2 but Littler took the next two legs and then missed three shots at double 20 for what would have been 5-5.

Instead, MVG was on target for double 20 to go into the second interval 6-4 in front.

When that was moved on to 7-4 Littler had a mountain to climb and the next four legs went to throw for 9-6.

Littler could not afford any more mistakes and when he missed double 15 in the 16th leg he was punished by the three-times world champion

Van Gerwen had beaten Littler five times in the pair's previous nine meetings this year.

Next up for MVG will be Joe Cullen in the second round on Wednesday night.

Bradford-born Cullen, a semi-finalist in this tournament last year, booked his ticket with a comfortable 10-4 success against Northern Ireland’s Brendan Dolan on Sunday.

The quarter-finals will follow on Thursday, the semi-finals on Saturday and the final on Sunday.