Stephen Bunting captured his fourth title of 2025 with a commanding 8-5 victory over Jermaine Wattimena at Gamers Championship 18 in Leicester.
‘The Bullet’ was in sensational kind all through the match, averaging over 100 in six matches, as he added to his World Collection titles in Bahrain and Copenhagen and a European Tour triumph in April.
Bunting started with a 6-2 win over William Borland, adopted by 6-3 victories in opposition to Ian White and Ritchie Edhouse. His standout efficiency got here with a 106.43 common in opposition to Alan Soutar within the final 16.
Within the quarter-finals, Bunting overcame a 5-4 deficit to defeat Czechia star Karel Sedlacek earlier than edging previous high seed Dave Chisnall in a tense semi-final, sealing the win with an excellent 12-dart leg.
The ultimate noticed Wattimena take an early lead, however Bunting responded with a five-leg burst, together with 164 and 156 checkouts, to go 5-1 up. Wattimena rallied to shut the hole to 6-5, however Bunting sealed the title with an excellent 11-darter.
Reflecting on his win, Bunting expressed delight in his consistency and resilience, noting his improved kind after shedding six finals in 2024. He credited his Premier League expertise and up to date wins for reinforcing his confidence.
Wattimena, regardless of falling wanting his first rating title, impressed with a powerful run that places him in competition for subsequent month’s World Matchplay. He started with a 105 common in opposition to Darryl Pilgrim and defeated Carl Sneyd and Josh Rock to succeed in the final 16.
His slender win over Rock sparked a sequence of deciding-leg victories in opposition to Ryan Searle, Mike De Decker, and Niels Zonneveld, incomes him the £10,000 runner-up prize. Zonneveld additionally had a notable run, beating Martin Schindler and James Wade to succeed in the semi-finals.
Dave Chisnall bounced again from an early exit on Tuesday to succeed in the semi-finals, defeating Martin Lukeman, Mervyn King, and Cam Crabtree. Crabtree loved his greatest run since July 2024, making the quarter-finals alongside Sedlacek, De Decker, and Benjamin Reus.
Different standout performances got here from Ross Smith and Danny Noppert, who posted averages of 111 and 110 respectively. Ryan Searle hit two 108 averages earlier than falling to Wattimena, whereas large names like Gerwyn Value, Gary Anderson, and Dirk van Duijvenbode suffered early exits.
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Talking on Love The Darts, Matt Edgar discusses the modifications to the World Darts Championship format.
2025 Gamers Championship 18 outcomes
Final 16
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Mervyn King
Cam Crabtree 6-3 Callan Rydz
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Alan Soutar
Karel Sedlacek 6-2 Damon Heta
Niels Zonneveld 6-1 James Wade
Benjamin Reus 6-4 Jonny Clayton
Mike De Decker 6-0 Ross Smith
Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Ryan Searle
Quarter-Finals
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Cam Crabtree
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Karel Sedlacek
Niels Zonneveld 6-5 Benjamin Reus
Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Mike De Decker
Semi-Finals
Stephen Bunting 7-6 Dave Chisnall
Jermaine Wattimena 7-6 Niels Zonneveld
Closing
Stephen Bunting 8-5 Jermaine Wattimena
What is the subsequent darts occasion on Sky Sports activities?
The spotlight of the darting summer time will see the Betfred World Matchplay held from July 19-27 on the Winter Gardens, as Luke Humphries bids to retain the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy, with world champion Luke Littler and three-time winner Michael van Gerwen additionally set to headline the £800,000 occasion throughout 9 days.
Sunday July 27 can even characteristic the fourth staging of the Betfred Ladies’s World Matchplay, that includes eight gamers competing throughout one session – with Beau Greaves having gained the 2023 and 2024 occasions.
Sky Sports activities will as soon as once more be the house of the World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and extra! Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW
