Bunting’s reaction speaks volumes as he survives World Darts scare | Other | Sport
Stephen Bunting admitted he survived an almighty scare and was “lucky” to beat Sebastian Bialecki 3-2 and progress into the second round at the World Darts Championship. World no.4 Bunting stormed into a 2-0 lead against Bialecki at Alexandra Palace, averaging more than 119 in the first set before getting the job done in comfortable fashion in the second set. However, Bialecki, ranked 79th in the world, battled back to win the third and the fourth set to make it 2-2 and take it to a last set decider.
The Pole then made it 2-1 in the fifth and final set, needing the next leg to get the job done. But Bunting made it 2-2 in the deciding set to ensure that both players required to win by two or more legs, unless it went to 5-5.
Bunting ended up taking control of the fifth set from that point, however, winning the fifth and sixth leg to take the final set and book his place in the next round of the Ally Pally tournament.
Speaking after the game, Bunting cut a relieved figure. “When you play at Ally Pally you go through all the emotions,” he told Sky Sports reporter Abigail Davies.
“I knew Sebastian was going to be tough. Even at 2-0 up I knew he wasn’t going to give in and I am lucky to get away with that one to be honest. I need to regroup, get on that practice board and make sure I am ready for the next game.”
“I heard Toby (his son) should my name, I have got a great family, great support behind me. Even the Ally Pally wasp came back from the brink, so listen… these crowds are unbelieveable. Thank you so much again and let’s go Bunting mental.
“That is the nervous one out of the way. I promise I will be better in the next round.”
Bunting is set to go up against Nitin Kumar in the second round after the Indian arrowsmith produced a huge shock to beat Richard Veenstra 3-2 on Sunday afternoon and win his first game on the Ally Pally stage.
Elsewhere, Wesley Plaisier beat Lukas Wenig 3-1 and Darren Beveridge stunned Dimitri van den Bergh 3-0 in the other confirmed results in the Sunday evening session in north London.
