Stephen Bunting feared turning into the primary participant to complete a Premier League Darts season with zero factors earlier than securing a primary nightly win in Berlin to get his season off the mark.
Bunting, who was winless for eight weeks, hit a nine-darter in follow after which defeated Nathan Aspinall, Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Value in a last-leg decider within the ultimate as he lastly broke his duck.
“To be honest, after the first win, I was just so relieved to get off zero points,” Bunting advised Sky Sports activities. “I’ve put quite a lot of work in behind the scenes. I’ve tried 110 per cent each week, with out 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 an evening, it is such a particular feeling.”
Bunting’s five-point haul courtesy of his Berlin triumph signifies that a late run to the finals on the O2 in London on Could 29 is not utterly off the playing cards, with the world No 5 now solely eight factors off the highest 4.
“Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves,” Bunting replied when quizzed on his play-off hopes.
“I think I played my best darts tonight when I’ve sort of been relaxed and thought the league is gone.
“There’s clearly nonetheless an opportunity I could make the highest 4, however I am not going to place an excessive amount of stress on myself.”
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Bunting data a 6-2 win over world No 1 Luke Humphries to guide his place within the ultimate
Webster: Bunting will really feel one million {dollars}
Sky Sports activities’ Mark Webster additionally labelled it a “tall order” for Bunting to streak into the play-offs within the second half of the season, however was thrilled to see him no less than get off the mark.
“There is still time in the season left, though he was very diplomatic with his answer about the chase to the playoffs – it’s a tough slog,” Webster mentioned.
“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.
“If he wins once more subsequent week, these items can roll on. And there is Liverpool across the nook – we all know how a lot that evening will imply to him.
“It’s still a tall order for him and he’s being realistic, but he played well tonight and he’ll feel so much more relaxed next week in Manchester.”
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Bunting picks up his first win of the Premier League season towards Nathan Aspinall
Webster added: “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 solely get factors tonight, however win the evening, he might be feeling one million {dollars}.”
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Bunting hits an ideal leg within the follow room earlier than his opening match
The place does the Premier League head subsequent?
The Premier League continues on the AO Area, Manchester on Thursday April 10 as house favorite Luke Littler and Gerwyn Value conflict in a titanic encounter, whereas Michael van Gerwen faces Chris Dobey. Watch Night time 10 of Premier League Darts, in Manchester, stay on Sky Sports activities Motion from 7pm – stream with NOW.
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