Luke Littler's sensational '222-game streak' comes to an end at New Zealand Darts Masters as teenager bids for more success

Darts star Luke Littler saw a sensational 222-game streak come to and end in the early hours of Friday morning - despite winning his first round match at the New Zealand Darts Masters.

Fresh from winning the Australian version of the tournament last week, Littler is heavy favourite to lift the crown in Nerw Zealand on Saturday, having qualified for the quarter-finals after beating Mark Cleaver.

Eight top players from the PDC are pitched against some of the biggest stars from the area, and all of the PDC men came through their first round draws to set up a mammoth Saturday in their bids to become champion.

Littler will take on Mike De Decker in the last-eight, but will be looking to start another streak after one came to an end in his match against Cleaver.

The 18-year-old is known as one of the most brutal 180 hitters in the game, and had, according to Polish outlet Laczy Nas Dart, hit a 180 in his last 222 matches -  but failed to do so against Cleaver.

His average was also below his usual standards, standing at 95.6, but he progressed with relative ease.

He hit 140 or more on eight separate occasions during the best of 11 game, with 100 or more arriving 14 times.

Littler appeared to be in a comfortable position at 3-1, but Cleaver brought it back to 4-4. Littler, though, saw the game out and won 6-4.

£100,000 is up for grabs at the tournament, with the prize pot boosted by £40,000.

The winner will receive £30,000, up £10,000 from last year.

After his win, meanwhile, Littler spoke on his battle with Luke Humphries for the world No 1 spot, saying: 'Luke knows what he's got to do. But I don't think he has to put much pressure on himself.

'I know myself I'm right behind him. It wouldn't surprise me if he won everythng and defended all his prize money, I think I'm defending £200,000 at the Worlds, I won that at the Matchplay, but I am focusing on going back to back.'