Josh Rock hits first Premier League nine-darter as Stephen Bunting wins night four in Belfast
Stephen Bunting capped night four in Belfast with a 6-2 victory over Gian van Veen, while josh rock produced the first Premier League nine-darter of the season. The evening delivered a full slate of quarter-finals and semi-finals that reshaped the leaderboard for this phase of the competition.
Final result: Stephen Bunting 6-2 Gian van Veen in Belfast
Stephen Bunting beat Gian van Veen 6-2 to win the event designated as night four in Belfast. For the final time tonight, Stephen Bunting and Gian van Geen make their walk-outs. The final scoreline followed Bunting’s run through the knockout stages earlier in the night.
Semi-finals: Bunting 6-0 Clayton; Van Veen edges Price 6-5
The semi-final results read Clayton 0-6 Bunting and Price 5-6 Van Veen. Bunting’s 6-0 semi-final whitewash of Jonny Clayton set up the final, while Gian van Veen prevailed in a 6-5 semi-final against Gerwyn Price to reach the decider.
Quarter-finals: Littler 3-6 Clayton; Bunting 6-4 Humphries; Van Gerwen 5-6 Price; Van Veen 6-2 Rock
The quarter-final line-up produced Littler 3-6 Clayton, Bunting 6-4 Humphries, Van Gerwen 5-6 Price, and Van Veen 6-2 Rock. That loss left Rock eliminated at the quarter-final stage after his run to the knockouts was stopped by Gian van Veen.
Josh Rock’s nine-darter — first Premier League nine-darter and first of the season
Rock hits his first Premier League nine-darter - and the first of the season. One commentator summed up the moment: "Josh might not care about another 9 dart finish, but he will do it again. He has the capability. Here's to the next one. Well done that man!" The nine-darter arrived on a night when Rock also lost 6-2 to Van Veen in the quarter-finals.
Live reaction and commentary, including Wayne Mardle’s lines
Commentary during the evening was emphatic about both Bunting and Gian van Veen. Wayne Mardle, identified as a former World Matchplay finalist, said: "Right now, there is not a better finisher on double-16 in the world than Gian van Veen. Under pressure, there is nobody better on that particular segment in the world right now. "
Mardle also reacted to Bunting’s form: "Where’s this Stephen Bunting been? The guys a juggernaut tonight. " He added: "Bunting had to be the favourite tonight going 6-0 against Johnny Clayton is extraordinary. And Rocky nine darter, what a night in Belfast. "
Additional commentary urged support for Bunting: "What did I say? Lets go Bunting mental one more time for the final!" and reflected on his season: "Maybe this is the start for Stephen Bunting. He hasn't played that bad in recent weeks, he's just found a way to get beaten. Now he has a couple of wins under his belt. That was a brilliant performance against Jonny Clayton. If he doesn't win tonight, it's not the end of the world. He's still picked up three points. "
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