In a stunning display of resilience and skill, Stephen Bunting silenced his doubters in dramatic fashion, claiming victory on night four of the Premier League Darts in Belfast. But here's where it gets controversial: after a sluggish start to the season, many questioned whether the 40-year-old belonged in the tournament at all. Sound familiar? Last year, Bunting took nine weeks to secure a single point—a far cry from his challenger days in 2020. Yet, in Belfast, he roared back with a vengeance, posting his highest Premier League average (106.63) in a 6-4 quarter-final triumph over defending champion Luke Humphries. He didn’t stop there, delivering another 106 average in a 6-0 shutout of league leader Jonny Clayton before clinching the title with a clinical 6-2 win over Gian van Veen in the final.
“I know I’m one of the best in the world—I belong here,” Bunting declared to Sky Sports, addressing the criticism head-on. “People wrote me off, but they don’t see the work I put in behind the scenes. Nights like this are why I play.” And this is the part most people miss: Bunting’s struggles last year, where he lost seven or eight matches in a row, became the foundation for this comeback. “Those losses gave me experience,” he added. “Playing against the best sharpens you, and this win ranks among the greatest of my career.”
Meanwhile, Gian van Veen’s story is one of near-misses and unfulfilled potential—at least for now. The debutant has reached three finals in four weeks but continues to fall short at the final hurdle. Is he the nearly man, or is there a breakthrough on the horizon?
Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock, another debutant, thrilled the home crowd with the tournament’s first nine-darter, a moment he called “a dream come true.” Yet, his 6-2 quarter-final loss to Van Veen marked his fourth consecutive defeat by that scoreline. Rock’s scoring prowess—he’s known as one of the tour’s biggest scorers—hasn’t translated into consistent results, with a 92.33 average and a 29.63% checkout rate over four weeks.
“Throwing a nine-darter in front of my home crowd? I don’t care if I never do it again,” Rock told Sky Sports, his voice shaking with emotion. “This is huge.” But former World Championship semi-finalist Wayne Mardle wasn’t entirely convinced. “Josh needs to start putting performances together,” he said bluntly. “He’s got the talent, but he’s not stringing it together. Those 6-2 losses? They’re hidings. He needs to improve—there’s so much more in him.”
Elsewhere, world number one Luke Littler’s struggles continued with a 6-3 quarter-final loss to Clayton, leaving him with just one win in four weeks. Is Littler feeling the pressure, or is this just a temporary dip for the young star?
As the dust settles on Belfast, one thing is clear: this Premier League season is far from predictable. Bunting’s triumph, Van Veen’s finales, Rock’s nine-darter, and Littler’s slump all add layers to a narrative that’s as compelling as it is contentious. But here’s the question: Who do you think will rise to the top by season’s end? And is Stephen Bunting’s win a one-off, or is he truly back among the elite? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
