Premier League Darts LIVE RESULT: Stephen Bunting beats Gerwyn Price to WIN Night 9 in Berlin – updates
Stephen Bunting came out on top in Berlin on Night 9 of Premier League Darts.
Bunting came into the round with a losing record that stretched back to a decade, but vanish League demons to beat Gerwyn Price 6-5.
The Bullet overcame Nathan Aspinall and world No.1 Luke Humphries on his way to his triumph.
Whilst, Price was handed a bye due to Michael van Gerwen's late withdrawal via injury before trashing Chris Dobey in the semis.
Table-topper Luke Littler was dumped out in the quarter-finals to Dobey, after winning four of the first eight nights.
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event
- Live stream: NOW/Sky Sports app
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Bunting relief
After his heroics in Berlin, Stephen Bunting was delighted to get his campaign back on track.
And he revealed he even hit a nine-darter in practice ahead of the event.
He said: "I’ve put a lot of work in behind the scenes. I have given 110 per cent every week and tonight I’ve won an event. I’m so happy.
"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."Bunting mental
Stephen Bunting celebrated his Premier League Darts victory with a surprise gift to go alongside his trophy and cheque for £10,000.
The Bullet came into night nine in Berlin without a win after crashing out in the first round at every event this year.
Bunting was presented with a trophy on stage and was bizarrely given a figurine of a bear - a symbol of Berlin.
Credit: PDC Littler prediction
Luke Littler has sent a six-word response to Stephen Bunting after The Bullet won his first Premier League matches of the season.
Bunting was victorious in Berlin, just days after Littler predicted his return to form.
Littler told reporters last week: "Once he gets that first win, I’m sure he’ll win quite a few in the Premier League."
Following Bunting's triumph, Littler wrote on Bunting's Instagram with a wink: "What did I say last week?"
Credit: Getty
MVG out
Michael van Gerwen will miss this weekend's International Darts Open in Riesa.
The Dutchman dropped out of last night's Premier League in Berlin due to a shoulder injury.
Richard Veenstra has been confirmed as Mighty Mike's replacement and will face either Andrew Gilding or William O’Connor in his opening match.
Credit: Alamy Webster - Luke was poor
It was a rare night to forget for Luke Littler as the world champion suffered defeat to Chris Dobey in the quarter-finals.
The Nuke looked nothing like the player who has racked up four Premier League nightly wins this season.
Pundit Mark Webster told Sky: "He was poor on the doubles - 16 per cent - you can't legislate for that.
"It was an uncharacteristic performance from Luke. He looked disappointed at the end - he just left himself with too much work to do.
"A big win for Dobey and a good boost for the other players too."
Credit: Reuters From zero to hero
It was a night to remember for Bullet Bunting in Berlin.
But the fan favourite - winless in the Premier League for a decade before Thursday - admitted he did think he may not pick up a point this season.
Buntin told Sky: "Don't get me wrong, there have been times through the Premier League where I've thought, 'Could I finish on zero points'?
"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."
Credit: Getty Good morning darts fans!
What a night it was in Berlin last night - and very few seen it unfolding as it did.
It all started when Michael van Gerwen withdrew from the event minutes before the start with a shoulder injury.
Luke Littler was thumped 6-2 by Chris Dobey in his quarter final clash before 20/1 outsider Stephen Bunting went on to win the entire night and take him from zero points from eight weeks to five in one night.
All roads lead to Manchester next week with the world champion to play in front of a home crowd!
Deserved winner
Former player and Sky Sports pundit Mark Webster admits being really pleased to see Stephen Bunting get off the mark in style.
He told Sky Sports: "I was just delighted to see him get a win tonight.
"You don't like seeing a player turn up and get beat week in, week out. He was saying all of the right things, but he will have been doubting himself.
"To then not only get points tonight, but win the night, he will be feeling a million dollars.
"He deserves it Stephen Bunting. He didn't deserve to have zero points. A brilliant night for him - he deserved it tonight, he played well in all of his games."
Doubles trouble
Nathan Aspinall has dubbed Luke Littler a “lightweight” for only downing four pints.
The former UK Open champion revealed how the teen sensation has changed over the last year and now hangs out with the other players.
He said: “He's coming out of his shell a bit as well now with the boys.
“He used to play his darts and go back to his room and play on his PlayStation or whatever.
“He's now actually coming down to the hotel bar and playing cards with us and stuff like that.
“He's definitely grown up in the last 12 months. But I think he's kind of had to really because of everything that's been thrown at him.
“He'll have a couple of Dark Fruits. He's a bit of a lightweight, but he's only 18. He'll have like four pints and that's him done.”
ICYMI
Michael van Gerwen didn't take part in the Night 9 action in Berlin.
Mighty Mike withdrew minutes before the event was due to start, citing a sore shoulder in doing so.
Reacting to the news, pundit Mark Webster said: "I'm really disappointed for Michael.
"I hope he gets sufficient rest and is back in Manchester next week.
I hope it's not long term."Darts is coming home
It returns to the UK next week and it's a home game for Luke Littler!
Here's what we have to look forward to in Night 10 at the AO Arena in Manchester next week:
Quarter finals
- Chris Dobey vs Michael van Gerwen
- Nathan Aspinall vs Rob Cross
- Luke Littler vs Gerwyn Price
- Stephen Bunting vs Luke Humphries
Premier League darts - Berlin results
Quarter finals
- Nathan Aspinall 2-6 Stephen Bunting
- Luke Humphries 6-3 Rob Cross
- Chris Dobey 6-2 Luke Littler
- Michael van Gerwen 0-0 Gerwyn Price - given a bye
Semi finals
- Stephen Bunting 6-2 Luke Humphries
- Chris Dobey 2-6 Gerwyn Price
Final
- Stephen Bunting 6-5 Gerwyn Price
Final stats
It's fair to say it wasn't completely vintage stuff.
The fact that there were so many breaks of throw starting the match probably highlights that.
Stephen Bunting won't care one bit.
Here's the averages of both finalists, including those averages in the low 90s!
How we stand
One of those strange nights that only darts and sport could deliver.
Luke Littler maintains top spot but his lead is cut to six points.
Gerwyn Price's run to the final sees him leapfrog the injured Michael van Gerwen.
Stephen Bunting is off the mark and now only two points behind Chris Dobey in seventh!
A chance to kick on now?
Bunting was quizzed on whether a nightly win propelling him up to five points could be the catalyst for a late play-off charge.
He's currently eight points off Michael van Gerwen in fourth spot, and Bunting replied: "Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves!
"I'm not going to put too much pressure on myself. I think I played my best darts tonight when I've sort of 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."
More from the Bullet
He added: "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.
"It was a monkey on my back, the first game. I'd felt so good in the practice room - I hit a nine-darter - and that gave me a lot of confidence."
Bunting reacts
Tonight's winner Stephen Bunting told Sky Sports: "To be honest, after the first win, 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 per cent every week, without fail.
"Tonight I have won the event and I'm just so happy! Unbelievable."
How unlikely was a Bunting night win?
The truth of the matter is - very!
Don't just take my word for it. The bookmakers gave him next to no chance of conquering Berlin.
Betway made him a 20/1 chance to win Night 9 - with only Nathan Aspinall a bigger price on the night.
Could this be the catalyst for a major comeback in this league!?
What a night for the Bullet
He pinged in a 9-darter on the practice boards backstage.
The weight of the world was lifted off his shoulders in coming through his quarter final.
And it just kept rolling on for Bunting who picks up the most unlikely of night wins in Berlin!
Stephen Bunting wins in Berlin!
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Gerwyn Price
From pointless to nightly champion - what a heroic effort in Germany for Stephen Bunting!
A terrific 107 checkout sees him over the line against Gerwyn Price in a rollercoaster of a final.
Nobody had given him a chance after no points in eight weeks - now he has five!
Stephen Bunting 5-5 Gerwyn Price
And it's Bunting throwing for the match and to win the night - what a ridiculously unlikely result at the start of the night!
Stephen Bunting 5-5 Gerwyn Price
BUNTING BREAKS!!!
Two darts for the match for Price at tops and double 10 - both miss by an absolute country MILE!
Bunting - who missed a dart at bull before those Price misses - comes back needing 25 and does so to set up a final leg decider!
Price with a sarcastic thumbs up to the crowd, he's blaming some whistling on those shocking attempts.
Stephen Bunting 4-5 Gerwyn Price
PRICE BREAKS!!
Two darts for the leg come and go for Bunting and you can see the hurt across his face.
You can then see the veins pop from Price's face moments later when he punches the air in delight at pinning a two-dart combo to take out 71 via T17, D10.
Price throwing for the match now!
Stephen Bunting 4-4 Gerwyn Price
You just can't separate them - Price holds his throw!
Price leaves 76 after 12 and Bunting is just less than 100 behind him.
But a really good two-dart combo from the Iceman sees him take out what's left and his roar is HUGE after taking that out.
Stephen Bunting 4-3 Gerwyn Price
A huge roar winning the leg - but it's from BUNTING!
A massive roar as he takes out 96 with a great two-dart combo and it's the first hold of the match in leg seven!
Price had left 72 so he was waiting for a chance in behind him but it doesn't come and Bunting edges in front.