Stephen Bunting has overcome a challenging start to his Premier League Darts season, avoiding the unfortunate prospect of finishing without a single point. After eight weeks of losses, Bunting secured a pivotal first victory in Berlin, marking a critical turning point in his campaign.
In practice, Bunting hit a remarkable nine-darter and went on to defeat Nathan Aspinall, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price in a thrilling last-leg decider to clinch the evening’s winning title.
Bunting expressed his relief following the win, stating, “I was just so relieved to get off zero points. I have put a lot of work in behind the scenes. I have tried 110 percent every week, without fail.”
“This is such a special moment. There have been times during the Premier League where I’ve thought: ‘Could I finish on zero points?’ To get off the mark tonight and win a night, it’s such a special feeling,” he added.
With the five points earned from his Berlin victory, Bunting now has a renewed sense of hope for making a run toward the finals at the O2 in London on May 29, positioning him a mere eight points away from the top four.
When asked about his playoff aspirations, Bunting remained cautious, stating, “I think I played my best darts tonight when I’ve been relaxed and thought the league is gone. There’s obviously still a chance I can make the top four, but I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself.”
Expert Analysis on Bunting’s Performance
Mark Webster noted that while a playoff berth remains a “tall order,” he was pleased to see Bunting secure his first win of the season. “He has to just keep building, get some more points, as there’s a huge season ahead and still a lot of Premier League Darts to play,” Webster stated.
He emphasized the importance of winning again in the upcoming matches, saying, “If he wins again next week, these things can roll on.”
Webster concluded, “To then not only get points tonight but win, he will be feeling a million dollars.”
Upcoming Premier League Darts Fixtures
The Premier League resumes at the AO Arena in Manchester on Thursday, April 10, featuring high-stakes matches including Luke Littler clashing with Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen taking on Chris Dobey. Don’t miss Night 10 of Premier League Darts!
