Bunting ends THREE-MONTH hoodoo to reach Dutch Darts Championship last eight

STEPHEN BUNTING had a “couple of pints” with the fans before ending a THREE-MONTH hoodoo to reach the last eight of the Dutch Darts Championship.

The Bullet smashed Nathan Aspinall 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals and now faces Damon Heta in Maastricht tonight.

Bunting’s victory meant he completed his first back-to-back wins since early July at Players Championship 23.

He said: “I hope everyone plays badly against me to be honest so I can win.

“Sometimes you need luck like that, I’ve not had it all season so I’ll take it.

“It’s not always the case. I’ve been on so many hidings this year when I’ve averaged over 100 myself. Happy to get that bit of luck.”

Bunting had already booked his place in the European Championship finals next week with his opening victory over Cameron Menzies the night before.

He added: “So relieved yesterday. I actually went into the town and had a couple of pints and relaxed with the fans, it was nice to do that and head on for today.

“I made sure I was in bed early last night. I’ve got a job to do today.

“I’ve got a lot of important games now. Hopefully I can go all the way.

“The fans have been exceptional again. Fancy dress, Bunting shirts, singing all the songs. It’s really what makes us come back every year. We all appreciate it.”

Gerwyn Price crashed out to Niels Zonneveld 6-4 and hot favourite Gian van Veen hammered Brendan Dolan 6-1.

Ryan Searle pulled off a huge win to beat in-form Ross Smith 6-4, even though he felt “flat”.

He said: “Ross is probably up there as one of the top four players in the world right now.

“To be able to get past Ross is a huge achievement for me, especially the way things have been going lately.

“I’m made of better stuff than that to give up. I just felt a little bit flat today.

“Obviously I had the crowd pumping me up because they are against me. Today was a little bit flat because they weren’t cheering for anyone.”