Darts is a strange old game. Sometimes they fly the way you intend …. and sometimes they don’t!

Unfortunately for Stephen Bunting in Dortmund this past weekend, it was a case of the latter.

In the Bullet’s bid to claim a European Championship crown, things didn’t quite go to script and the quest was ended abruptly.

Facing good friend Dave Chisnall in round one, it was the man in yellow who was on fire from the off with Stephen unable to get started.

It’s rare Bunting will register an average in the low 80’s but this was one of those days for the Liverpudlian and Chizzy took full advantage.

The 6-0 scoreline reflected one player in sublime form and the other well below par.

After the match, a sombre Stephen said: “Very disappointed to have played the way I did up there tonight.

“My recent form has been solid and my pre match practice was good. But once I was on stage, it just didn’t come.

“All credit to Chizzy, he played extremely well and thoroughly deserved the win.

“I’ll regroup and head to Barnsley next week looking to pick up some more vital ranking points and hopefully qualify for the Grand Slam.”