Bunting wins in Berlin to end nightmare start in the Premier League “Don’t get me wrong, there have been times in the Premier League where I’ve thought: ‘Could I finish on zero points”
Bunting wins in Berlin to end nightmare start in the Premier League “Don’t get me wrong, there have been times in the Premier League where I’ve thought: ‘Could I finish on zero points”
Stephen Bunting won his first match, as well as his first nightly win, in the 2025 BetMGM Premier League during a spectacular night of play in Berlin.
Bunting came into the German capital with the unenviable record of losing all eight of his first Premier League games, but he ended that streak with triumphs against Nathan Aspinall, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price in the final to earn maximum points on Night Nine at the Uber Arena.
In a very tight final, neither player held their throw for the first six legs, leaving things tied at three apiece.
Price appeared to be on front when he broke again to move within a leg of a third straight win, but he then missed two match darts, allowing Bunting to tie the game at 5-5.
The Liverpudlian then delivered a brilliant performance, landing a 107 checkout in the final leg to clinch the Night Nine title.
Bunting’s victory in Berlin puts him only two points below Dobey at the bottom of the table and eight points behind the top four.
It’s a big shift in fortunes for the 39-year-old following his terrible first eight weeks.
“I’ve put a lot of work in behind the scenes. I have given 110% every week and tonight I’ve won an event. I’m so happy,” reflected an emotional Bunting.
“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.
“Don’t get me wrong, there have been times in the Premier League where I’ve thought: ‘Could I finish on zero points’” confessed Bunting.
“To get off the mark tonight and to win the night here in Germany is such a special feeling.
“I’ve been playing well without getting the results, so now this is going to give me huge confidence, and I can’t wait for the rest of the campaign.”
The night began with the announcement that Michael van Gerwen had withdrew due to a shoulder injury, allowing Price to advance to the semi-finals.
Price took advantage of this by defeating Dobey 6-2 to get to the final, after Dobey had previously ended Luke Littler’s winning streak with his own 6-2 victory.
Humphries also picked up two points, defeating Rob Cross 6-3 in their first game before falling to Bunting in the final four.
The Premier League action continues on April 10 at Manchester’s AO Arena, with Bunting playing Humphries in his first game.
The evening’s curtain-raiser pits Dobey against Van Gerwen, Littler against Price, and Aspinall against Cross.
Bunting wins in Berlin to end nightmare start in the Premier League
2025 BetMGM Premier League
Night Nine – Thursday April 3
Uber Arena, Berlin
Quarter-Finals
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Nathan Aspinall
Luke Humphries 6-3 Rob Cross
Chris Dobey 6-2 Luke Littler
Gerwyn Price Bye (Michael van Gerwen withdraws due to injury)
Semi-Finals
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Luke Humphries
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Chris Dobey
Final
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Gerwyn Price
