Stephen Bunting's inclusion in the 2026 Premier League Darts sparked online debate at the start of the season, but the St Helens thrower is quietly putting together a solid campaign against relentless opposition. After nine nights, Bunting sits on nine points, already four more than he had at the same stage last year, with an overall average of exactly 100.00.
However, the table doesn't fully show the quality he has faced. In his last three appearances, Bunting has taken just two points, with the numbers behind those defeats telling a stark story. On Night 7 in Dublin, Bunting averaged 104.10 against Luke Littler but lost 6-3, with Littler posting 105.07. A week later in Berlin, Bunting improved to 107.47, yet Littler edged him 6-3 despite a slightly lower 105.72 average.
In Manchester, things finally fell Bunting's way as he secured a 6-3 win over Michael van Gerwen, who averaged 104.07, despite Bunting averaging 95.70 himself. But the pattern continued later that night in the semi-finals, where Bunting's 106.66 average wasn't enough against Gerwyn Price, who delivered one of the standout performances of the campaign with a huge 112.91 average to seal a dominant 6-2 victory.
With Brighton up next on 9 April, Bunting faces another immediate test, set to meet Luke Littler once again in his opening match, guaranteeing another high-quality contest.
