Stephen Bunting ends Premier League Darts drought to claim Berlin title

Stephen Bunting sensationally secured his first weekly title on Night Nine of Premier League Darts in Berlin on Thursday.

Bunting had endured a torrid first half of the league phase which had seen him suffer eight consecutive defeats, but turned his fortunes around in emphatic fashion at a sold-out Uber Arena.

The former Lakeside Champion defeated Nathan Aspinall 6-2 to register his first points of the campaign, before brushing aside Luke Humphries by the same scoreline in the semi-finals.

He then held his nerve to edge out Gerwyn Price in the final courtesy of a 107 checkout in the deciding leg to scoop the £10,000 weekly winner’s bonus.

“I’ve put a lot of work in behind the scenes. I have given 110% every week and tonight I’ve won an event. I’m so happy,” said an emotional Bunting.

“I felt so good in the practice room tonight. I even hit a nine-darter earlier on!

“To be honest, after that first win against Nathan I was just relieved to get off zero points.

“Don’t get me wrong, there have been times in the Premier League where I’ve thought: ‘Could I finish on zero points?’

“To get off the mark tonight and to win the night here in Germany is such a special feeling.

“I’ve been playing well without getting the results, so now this is going to give me huge confidence, and I can’t wait for the rest of the campaign.”

The final saw the opening six legs go against the darts before Bunting landed a 96 checkout to move in front.

Price responded with a 76 finish to restore parity and followed up with a 71 finish to break throw for a 5-4 advantage.

However, two missed match darts from the Welshman in leg ten allowed Bunting in to force a decider – in which he took out a nerveless 107 checkout to clinch victory.

The five-point haul sees Bunting close the gap on Chris Dobey to just two points, while Price climbs above Michael van Gerwen into third spot.

Van Gerwen withdrew from Night Nine around an hour before the start of play due to a shoulder injury, meaning Price received a bye into the semi-finals.

Price capitalised on that by defeating Dobey 6-2 to reach the final, after Dobey had earlier brought an end to Luke Littler’s winning run with a 6-2 victory over the league leader.

Humphries also picked up two points as he saw off Rob Cross 6-3, but struggled amid an apparent breeze on the stage during his semi-final clash with Bunting, averaging just 87.8.

Premier League Darts Night Nine Results

Thursday April 3

Quarter-Finals
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Nathan Aspinall
Luke Humphries 6-3 Rob Cross
Chris Dobey 6-2 Luke Littler
Gerwyn Price (BYE) v Michael van Gerwen – *Van Gerwen withdraws through injury*

Semi-Finals
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Luke Humphries
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Chris Dobey

Final
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Gerwyn Price