Premier League Darts: Stephen Bunting feared ̵...

Stephen Bunting feared changing 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 apply after which defeated Nathan Aspinall, Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Worth in a last-leg decider within the closing as he lastly broke his duck.

“To be sincere, after the primary win, I used to be simply so relieved to get off zero factors,” Bunting advised Sky Sports activities. “I’ve put loads of work in behind the scenes. I’ve tried 110 per cent each week, with out fail.

“That is such a particular second. There have been occasions throughout the Premier League the place I’ve thought: ‘Might I end on zero factors?’

“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 forward of ourselves,” Bunting replied when quizzed on his play-off hopes.

“I believe I performed my finest darts tonight once I’ve type 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.”

Webster: Bunting will really feel 1,000,000 {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 a minimum of get off the mark.

“There may be nonetheless time within the season left, although he was very diplomatic together with his reply in regards to the chase to the playoffs – it is a robust slog,” Webster stated.

“He has to only maintain constructing, get some extra factors, as there’s an enormous season forward and nonetheless loads of Premier League Darts to play.

“If he wins once more subsequent week, this stuff can roll on. And there is Liverpool across the nook – we all know how a lot that evening will imply to him.

“It is nonetheless a tall order for him and he is being real looking, however he performed nicely tonight and he’ll really feel a lot extra relaxed subsequent week in Manchester.”

Webster added: “I used to be simply delighted to see him get a win tonight. You do not like seeing a participant flip up and get beat week in, week out. He was saying all the proper issues, however he can have been doubting himself.

“To then not solely get factors tonight, however win the evening, he might be feeling 1,000,000 {dollars}.”

The place does the Premier League head subsequent?

The Premier League continues on the AO Area, Manchester on Thursday April 10 as residence favorite Luke Littler and Gerwyn Worth conflict in a titanic encounter, whereas Michael van Gerwen faces Chris Dobey. Watch Night time 10 of Premier League Darts, in Manchester, dwell on Sky Sports activities Motion from 7pm – stream with NOW.

Sky Sports activities will as soon as once more be the house of the Premier League in 2025, with each evening solely dwell together with the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and extra! Stream darts and more top sport with NOW