In a thrilling display at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Stephen Bunting finally broke his losing streak in the Premier League Darts by winning Night 9 on Thursday, April 3, 2025. This marked Bunting's first victories of the season, having lost all eight of his previous matches. The night began with high expectations as the competition moved outside the UK for the first time this year, and Bunting did not disappoint.
Bunting started his night with a quarter-final showdown against Nathan Aspinall, where he emerged victorious with a convincing 6-2 win. Following that, he faced Luke Humphries in the semi-finals, where he again showcased his improved form, defeating Humphries 6-2 to advance to the final. There, he faced Gerwyn Price, who had received a bye in the quarter-finals after Michael van Gerwen withdrew due to a shoulder injury.
The final was a nail-biter, featuring six breaks of throw in its early stages. Bunting took a crucial lead, going 4-3 ahead after hitting a 96 checkout in just two darts. However, Price was not to be outdone; he leveled the match and then broke Bunting's throw, putting him in a position to win. Price had two match darts but could not convert, allowing Bunting to level the scores again. In a dramatic finish, Bunting produced a stunning 107 checkout to seal a memorable 6-5 victory.
"Don't get me wrong, there have been times through the Premier League where I've thought, 'Could I finish on zero points'?" Bunting reflected after his win, as reported by Sky Sports. "But to get off the mark tonight and to win a night is such a special feeling. This is going to give me huge confidence and I can't wait to finish the campaign. I've really enjoyed it, even though I've not won a game until tonight."
Despite Bunting's success, the night was not without its challenges for the current table leader, Luke Littler. The world champion faced Chris Dobey in the quarter-finals but suffered a surprising 6-2 defeat, hitting only two of his 13 darts at double. This loss allowed his lead at the top of the table to shrink to six points, as Luke Humphries capitalized on the opportunity by defeating Rob Cross 6-3 in his quarter-final match. Humphries, who was trailing 3-1, won five legs in a row to secure his spot in the semi-finals.
After the quarter-finals, the semi-finals saw Bunting continue his impressive run by defeating Humphries, while Price secured his place in the final with a solid 6-2 win over Dobey. The results from Night 9 have tightened the standings significantly, with Littler still leading but now facing pressure from Humphries and Price.
The Premier League Darts format consists of an eight-player knockout tournament each night, with matches played over the best of 11 legs. Players earn five points for winning the night, three for finishing as the runner-up, and two for reaching the semi-finals. As the tournament progresses, the top four players will compete in knockout semi-finals at the end of the first 15 weeks, culminating in a final to determine the overall winner.
This year's Premier League boasts a total prize pot of £1 million, with the four players reaching Finals Night guaranteed at least £85,000 each. The winner will take home a substantial £275,000, while the runner-up receives £125,000. Each night’s winner also earns an additional £10,000 bonus.
Looking ahead, Bunting will face Humphries again in the quarter-finals during Night 10, scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Manchester. Meanwhile, Littler will be looking to rebound against Price in what promises to be an exciting matchup.
As the Premier League Darts continues, fans can expect more thrilling action and unexpected results, especially with players like Bunting finding their rhythm and challenging the established order. With the competition heating up, every match is crucial as players strive for points and a chance at the coveted title.
In summary, Stephen Bunting's victory in Berlin not only marks a significant personal achievement but also adds an intriguing twist to the Premier League standings as the tournament moves forward. The excitement is palpable as the players gear up for the next round, and fans are eager to see how the rest of the season unfolds.
