Stephen Bunting upset defending champion Luke Humphries on Night 16 of the Premier League in Sheffield, winning 6-3 in the final at the Utilita Arena. Bunting's victory denied Humphries back-to-back nightly wins, though the world champion had earlier thrashed Luke Littler 6-1 in the semi-finals.
Humphries dominates Littler again
Humphries, who halted Littler's 10-match winning streak in the semi-finals in Birmingham last week, repeated the feat on Night 16. The defending champion walloped his out-of-sorts rival 6-1 in the last four, securing a third-placed finish in the league table. He will now face Jonny Clayton in the semi-finals on finals night at the O2 in London on May 28.
Humphries had earlier edged past Michael van Gerwen 6-5 in his opening match, but was swept aside in the final by an inspired Bunting.
Bunting's statement win
Bunting, whose previous nightly win came in Belfast in February, said he was delighted with his performance. In his on-stage interview, he stated: "I'm not going to get emotional. I've really enjoyed myself. A lot better than last year. I just had a lot more confidence and a lot more self-belief. I played some fantastic darts tonight and I'm really proud of myself. I'm up to fifth! People write me off, people said I shouldn't be in it, and I finished fifth."
With little at stake on Night 16, as the top four places for finals night had already been decided, Bunting's second nightly win of the season lifted him to fifth in the league table. The top four are league winner Littler, Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price, and Humphries.
Bunting's path to victory
Bunting had served warning of his stunning form in a 6-3 win against Price in his semi-final, which was interrupted by a booing spectator. Price stopped to remonstrate with a man in the crowd while 2-1 up in the fourth leg and refused to play on until security staff ejected him. The world number eight's average slipped from nearly 100 to just over 80 following the eight-minute delay.
Bunting, who defeated Clayton in his quarter-final, took full advantage, landing a bullseye for a 161 finish to edge 4-3 ahead and sealing victory with a 104 checkout.
Littler's poor form
Littler, who was presented with his MBE medal by Prince William at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, admitted in an interview before facing Humphries that a lack of practice was behind his poor form. Despite his struggles, Littler remains the league winner and will face Price in the semi-finals on finals night.
