Bunting ends Premier League darts drought in Berlin but Littler crashes out

Bunting Completes Berlin Darts Triumph After Littler’s Early Exit

Stephen Bunting dramatically reversed his Premier League Darts fortunes, clinching victory in Berlin after a shock early exit for Luke Littler. In a remarkable turnaround at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, Bunting, previously winless in the first eight weeks of the competition, defeated Nathan Aspinall to secure his first win, followed by a comfortable triumph over Luke Humphries, before overcoming Gerwyn Price 6-5 in a tightly contested final. This stunning Berlin success marks a significant moment in the Premier League Darts season.

Littler Stumbles, Bunting Seizes Opportunity

Despite this setback, Luke Littler maintains a comfortable lead at the top of the Premier League Darts table. However, the Berlin event proved to be a disappointing night for the young sensation. Littler struggled with his accuracy on the double targets, resulting in a 6-2 defeat against Chris Dobey in his opening match.

Van Gerwen Withdraws, Price Advances

Luke Humphries had earlier defeated Rob Cross but appeared off-form in his subsequent 6-2 loss to the resurgent Bunting. Michael van Gerwen was absent from the Berlin event, withdrawing due to a shoulder injury. This withdrawal granted Gerwyn Price a bye directly into the semi-finals, where he dominated Chris Dobey with a 6-2 victory, securing his place in the final and a chance for his third nightly victory.

Intense Final Sees Bunting Prevail Against Price

The final between Bunting and Price was a tense affair, though it lacked consistent high scoring. The first six legs were all breaks of throw, indicating the pressure both players were under. Bunting eventually held his throw, finishing with aCheckout of 96 to gain a foothold in the match.

Price, however, responded by breaking throw again to take a 5-4 lead. He had two match darts to secure the Berlin title but missed both attempts, audibly expressing his frustration with the crowd noise.

Bunting capitalized on Price’s misses, leveling the score before sealing the victory in style with a 107 checkout, completing an extraordinary night of darts.

Bunting’s Emotional Reaction

Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, an emotional Stephen Bunting expressed his relief and joy. “After the first win I was so relieved just to get off zero points. I’ve put a lot of work in behind the scenes, I’ve tried every week 110%. Tonight, oh my God, I’ve won an event and I’m so happy. It’s such a special moment,” said the darts star.

“There’s been times through the Premier League where I’ve thought: ‘Can I finish on zero points’? To get off the mark tonight and to win a night, such a special feeling. I know I’ve been playing well, I’ve just not got the result. Now this is going to give me huge confidence and I can’t wait to finish the campaign.”

Table Standings and Future Fixtures

Despite his impressive victory in Berlin, Bunting remains at the bottom of the Premier League Darts table. Gerwyn Price, on the other hand, climbs to third place as the competition moves to Manchester for the next round of fixtures. The Premier League Darts season continues to deliver drama and surprises as it progresses towards the playoffs.