Fundamentally, there are several significant differences between Hildesheim and Barnsley. However, when it comes to Stephen Bunting plying his trade on the oche, the similarities are almost identical.

The first of the two Pro-Tours proved far more fruitful. An another excellent run, this time to the last 16 ensured The Bullet would be pocketing a nice little earner in Germany.

Young Owen Bates was the first to fall as the Liverpudlian ran out 6-3 victor. After that, he blew fellow former Lakeside World Champion, Richie Burnett out of the water with a 6-1 rout resulting in a colossal 111.29 average.

After defeating Swiss representative, Stefan Bellmont 6-3 Stephen faced old foe and close friend Dave Chisnall for a place in the quarter-final. But it was Chizzy who reached the six leg mark first in a well fought battle.

Monday could have gone far better if Bunting had of grabbed the last leg decider in his first round match against Boris Krcmar. Sadly for him he didn’t and the big Croatian edged the contest.

As is typically the case in Euro Tour qualification day, Stephen ends up bagging one of the spots. And on this particular trip to Deutschland, it was no different.

Cameron Menzies ensured that the 37-year old wouldn’t be appearing at the Belgian Darts Open as the Scot earned a well deserved 6-2 victory.

Resurgent as always, Stephen made sure his name was in the hat for the Czech Darts Open in May thanks to a brace of extremely fine performances.

Comprehensive wins over Robert Owen (6-1) and then Adam Warner (6-2), both attained with high 90’s averages secured a trip to Prague.

Afterwards, Stephen said: “One of these days, I am going to qualify for both Euro Tours events on offer! To be fair, Cam [Menzies] was the better player in the first one but then I played much better and deserved to get the other.”