Stephen Bunting holds his own as Michael Van Gerwen regains dominance with a 11-9 victory over Gerwyn Price and lifting the World Players championships tonight
Going into the tournament it was the dream final that most fans wanted with both players in prime form and it did not disappoint.
Both players displayed why they’re the two best players on the planet right now. Van Gerwen edged over the line to take his fifth Players Championship title and avenge his defeat to the ‘Ice Man’ last week in the grand slam.
It was a disappointing weekend for Merseyside’s Michael Smith and Dave Chisnall. After convincing first round wins, they failed to carry the form onto the Saturday.
Smith managed to beat Brendan Dolan in round two, but eventual semi-finalist Ian White posed to much for bullyboy with a 10-4 win.
While Chisnall faced Mervin King in round two, but missed darts at the double cost Chizzy the match, which ended 6-4 to King.
Merseyside’s third hopeful Stephen bunting, however, had a lot of positives to take from the tournament.
Bunting opened his campaign with a convincing 6-2 win over Dimitri Van Den Bergh. He then came into is own in the second round, averaging an impressive 104 in his last 16 win over Jose De Sousa followed by an incredible 107 average win over Ryan Meikle.
Despite a respectable 100 average in the quarter-final, Bunting ran into an unplayable Gerwyn Price.
The Welshman was dominant on the doubles and beat ‘the Bullet’ 10-3. Not the result Bunting would have hoped for, but as we edge closer to the all-important World Championships, the good form will be cherished.
(Image – Sven Mandel under creative commons licence)
