Dobey Reigns in Rotterdam “I knew I could do it. It’s just about performing on the night”
Dobey Reigns in Rotterdam “I knew I could do it. It’s just about performing on the night”
Chris Dobey secured his first nightly win of the BetMGM Premier League this year in Rotterdam on Thursday with a trio of outstanding performances.
In the Night 11 finale at Rotterdam Ahoy, Dobey defeated Stephen Bunting 6-2 after defeating Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, and Bunting on Dutch turf.
The Bedlington star’s five-point haul puts him within three points of the Play-Off spots, as he recorded tons-plus averages in each of his three games.
“It’s a great feeling to be back in the winner’s circle,” admitted Dobey – a Night One finalist in Belfast.
“I knew I could do it. It’s just about performing on the night, and I’ve put in three great performances today to put myself back in the mix.
“I’m a fighter. I’ve worked hard to get myself back amongst the elite, and I’m here to win.
“I believe I can still make the top four. I’ve shown tonight what I’m capable of, and I think with the way I performed tonight, I’ve got a good chance.”
With a remarkable 6-3 victory over world number one Humphries to start his campaign, Dobey averaged 100 and hit six 180s.
That set the tone for the former Masters winner, who defeated Aspinall with another ton-topping average to win 6-2 in the semi-finals.
Then, Dobey and Bunting, who were at the bottom of the league standings going into the night, faced off for the Night 11 title, and the 34-year-old emerged victorious.
Bunting had the lead after 13 darts, but Dobey’s four-leg burst put him in the lead and he finished with a 101.84 average and a 67% checkout success rate.
Dobey’s efforts have caused him to pass Rob Cross and take sixth place, making him the sixth different nightly winner in this year’s competition.
In the meantime, Bunting maintained his comeback in Rotterdam, defeating Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen in decisive legs to get to his second nighttime final in three weeks.
After denying home hero Van Gerwen in a thrilling quarterfinal match, the 40-year-old averaged 106.43 to resist Littler’s valiant comeback in the final four.
Littler and Cross had engaged in a thrilling match in the round of eight, with the World Champion overcoming Cross’s 110 average with a spectacular 145 finish in the final.
In other news, Aspinall defeated Gerwyn Price 6-3 in the round of eight to go up to third place, but Dobey stopped him from winning back-to-back nights.
Dobey Reigns in Rotterdam
2025 BetMGM Premier League
Night 11 – Thursday April 17
Rotterdam Ahoy
Quarter-Finals
Chris Dobey 6-3 Luke Humphries
Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Gerwyn Price
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Luke Littler 6-5 Rob Cross
Semi-Finals
Chris Dobey 6-2 Nathan Aspinall
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Luke Littler
Final
Chris Dobey 6-2 Stephen Bunting
