The Merseyside thrower Endures Huge Fright while The Indian pioneer Creates History for India.
Stephen Bunting survived a monumental scare to move into the second round of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
Bunting, who reached beaten semi-finalist last year, was pushed all the way to a deciding tie-breaker by Polish qualifier Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
An Eventful Match
Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the first set. Victory seemed assured after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
Yet, his form dipped, and he managed just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting steadied himself in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before securing it 4-2.
“When you are playing at Ally Pally you experience all the feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be a challenge and even at 2-0 he never gave in. I am fortunate to get away with that one.”
Kumar Secures Historic Win
Bunting's second-round foe will be 'The Royal Bengal', who achieved a first by becoming the first Indian winner at the tournament. He beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round matches, remarked this breakthrough could have “opened the floodgates to a billion” darts players from his homeland.
“Words fail me today. I’m overwhelmed, I’m happy,” Kumar expressed. “Dream big, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He added with a light-hearted prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years down the line if you have eight people in the world championship walking on to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”
Further First-Round Action
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh, who managed just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another first-timer, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a resounding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in fine fettle as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutch player overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over America’s Stowe Buntz.
