Stephen Bunting certainly turned up to Barnsley with his shooting boots on, putting in some blistering performances as the latest round of Pro Tour action got underway.
With ton averages galore for the Bullet over the three day South Yorkshire stint, it was the final tournament of the week that proved the most fruitful for the Scouser.
Only an inspired Gary Anderson prevented Stephen from reaching the final after the Scot ran out a 7-5 winner.
So, let’s start with the first event of the week – that was on Wednesday. And if I told you the Liverpudlian’s lowest average was 106.49, you’d think he would have won the thing.
It was a spell-binding display of exceptional darts from Bunting. Firstly, defeating Geert Nentjes 6-3 before touching a fraction under the 110 mark to dismiss John O’Shea 6-2.
The best was yet to come as Stephen fired in a colossal 111.11 average to overcome a shell-shocked Mike De Decker.
Into the last 16, and it took a fine display from fellow Lakeside World Champion, Christian Kist to end the run despite the stats board showing startling figures of 106.59 from our man.
Full of confidence, Stephen arrived in the Metrodome on Thursday morning looking to carry on where he left off 24 hours earlier and opened up his account with a dramatic last leg victory over Boris Krcmar.
Danny Jansen was next to feel the Bunting wrath with the young Dutchman being bowled out 6-2. Unfortunately, in the board final Gary Anderson then unleashed a blistering performance to oust the Bullet 6-3.
But Friday proved to be the best of the lot with a run all the way to the semi-final before that man Anderson once again proved to be Stephen’s downfall.
Compatriot Graham Hall was the first victim of the afternoon for Bunting, setting the tone nicely with yet another ton plus average in gaining a 6-3 win.
Stephen then bagelled Lee Evans with another superb spell at the oche, this time banging in a 104.86.
A couple of solid 6-3 wins were to follow as Mervyn King and Luke Woodhouse fell before a fine quarter-final victory over Irishman, Daryl Gurney by the same scoreline.
However, for the second time in two days, the two time World Champion showed his clout and ended what was a very satisfactory weeks work for Mr Bunting.
After the last match, Stephen said: “I’m absolutely delighted with how I played here the past few days. My practice was perfect and you can see in my games that it reflected on the figures.
“Normally, with the kind of numbers I produced, you’d expect to pick up a title but I have to take the positives. These new 18g darts are really working well for me and I know I’m on the edge of a big win.
“It’s probably one of my best Pro Tour performances in terms of my scoring power. So yes, it would have been amazing to go all the way but it was an excellent return and I am very happy with how I played on the whole.”
