Luke Humphries hit a sensational nine-dart finish during his Premier League clash with Rob Cross moments before the Sky Sports feed cut off. He became the 11th player to hit a nine-darter on a Premier League stage and the first since Luke Littler achieved it against Humphries in last year's final at the O2 Arena. 

The show-stopping finish came in the second leg of his match against Cross, with Humphries hitting back-to-back 180s before ending with a stunning T20-T19-D12 checkout. It counted for very little in the end though, as Cross kept his cool to come back and win the contest 6-4. 

Reacting to the nine-darter, commentator Rod Studd said: "We wait to see if Humphries can pin the nine dart leg... Luke Humphries joins the Premier League nine-dart club."

It proved a bitter achievement for Humphries, considering he went on to lose the match - his first pointless outing at this year's Premier League. Taking to social media after his opening match exit, Humphries commented: "What a funny old game darts is [laughing emoji]. Buzzing to hit the 9, but obviously would have preferred it to have come in a win. Fair play to Rob, he put in a big performance there.

"Still, a good first five weeks in the league, and now onto Belgium for the Euro Tour this weekend. Thanks for the support [love heart emoji]." 

It came during a night of chaos for Sky Sports, whose coverage of night five from Brighton was marred by technical issues. 

Presenter Emma Paton issued an on-air apology in between the first and second match of the evening, saying: "Apologies if you have been losing picture on Sky Sports Main Event or Sky Sports +. We've been experiencing technical difficulties." She later attempted to apologise again, but it was inaudible as the feed cut off and switched to an advert mid-sentence. 

The issue persisted, though, with commentator Wayne Mardle forced to apologise once more. He said: "We apologise if you're experiencing any malfunction or picture breakup. It will be fixed momentarily, I assure you," just before the broadcast cut off once again." 

Elsewhere on night five of the Premier League, Michael van Gerwen returned to form with a quarter-final victory over Gerwyn Price, who himself has dropped off the pace following his victory in Dublin on night three. Luke Littler had to dig deep in his opening game against Chris Dobey, with the Nuke edging a tight 6-5 contest to book a spot in the semi-finals, and Nathan Aspinall defeated Stephen Bunting in his quarter-final to extend the Bullet's dismal Premier League record.