DAZZLING DOBEY WINS IN ROTTERDAM

By Aaron Nijjar  

CHRIS DOBEY won Night 11 of the Premier League after defeating Stephen Bunting 6-2 in the final.  

The final between Dobey and Bunting saw eighth face seventh – the first time such a clash has happened since week six of 2022.

Former Masters champion Dobey averaged a stellar 101.84 and smashed in six out of nine doubles to dispatch Bunting. 

‘Hollywood’ averaged over a ton in all three of his games to pick up his maiden nightly victory which moves him up to sixth in the table.

World No. 9 Dobey admitted he is a fighter and never gave up after a tough start to his Premier League campaign.  

He said: “It feels great, back in the winners circle. I knew I could do it, just about performing on the night. 

“I’m a fighter, I’ve came through big matches. I’m here to win and I’ll be here until the end. 

“I learnt playing local stuff with my dad, he never let me win and it’s that old stubborn mindset. A lot of people would have given up.” 

The Bedlington thrower is now only three points off the top four and still believes a playoff spot is within reach. 

He added: “The Premier League is the elite and they’re all great lads. They’ve made us feel welcome. I’m glad to be showing I’m part of the elite now. 

“I believe I can still get into the top four. I’ve got a good chance next week if I keep this performance.” 

Dobey defeated world number one Luke Humphries 6-3 in the quarter-final.  

Six-time Players Championship winner Dobey then overcame Nathan Aspinall 6-2 in the last four. 

Elsewhere, Luke Littler missed out on the chance to pick up a record fifth Premier League nightly win for 2025.  

Teen sensation Littler took on Rob Cross, and having survived a match dart, was forced to take out a scintillating 145 finish to claim a dramatic 6-5 win and progress to the semi-finals. 

But ‘The Nuke’ lost 6-5 to Bunting who averaged a remarkable 106 in their bout.  

World champion Littler was a whisker away from checking out 138 with a match dart which hit the wire of double nine. 

Home favourite Michael van Gerwen was edged 6-5 by ‘The Bullet’ in the last eight.  

Aspinall overcame Gerwyn Price 6-3 in their quarter-final clash.