Bunting ends run of entertaining Gates, sets up St Helens derby with Chisnall in Third Round at PDC World Darts Championship

Stephen Bunting is through his opening hurdle at the 2022/23 PDC World Darts Championship and will face Dave Chisnall in a St Helens derby and another meeting between two of the semi-finalists from two years ago who lost out.

Bunting was a set down against Gates who looked to cause another upset but it wasn't to be for 'Soldier' who entertained the crowd once again with his superb walk-on but couldn't topple the 21st seed in a 3-1 sets loss.

Gates sealed an opening hold with an 80 checkout. He missed 124 on double eight and Bunting punished with a 122. The American went one away from the opening set on double 20.

Bunting missed 74 for the decider and Gates had a shot for the set but missed double 20 and Bunting returned to send it to a decider.

Bunting missed 124 on the bull for the set and Gates returned for 101 for the set. Bunting opened the second set with a 66 checkout. He missed the big number going for 121 and Gates pinned double 20 to make it 1-1.

Bunting made it 2-1 with a 44 checkout with Gates throwing to force a decider. The former missed 141 for the set but Gates missed 118 on the bull and they went back and forth missing darts for the set in Bunting’s case and for the decider for Gates both ending up on double one.

Bunting busted first of all and so did Gates as they crept towards 24 darts but the former finally sealed it.

Bunting started the third set breaking on double 16. He chased around the board to consolidate but Gates couldn’t get a shot at 161. But he returned with Bunting busting on double one and Gates pinned 80 for 1-1.

Gates couldn’t consolidate missing hatfuls of darts and Bunting finally hit double five to break again and go one away from the set.

Bunting missed 62 for the set but Gates missed 105 on double 20 and ‘The Bullet’ sealed it. Gates missed 81 on the bull and Bunting hit double nine before pinning 124 to go one away.

Bunting missed 130 on the bull for the win but returned for 25 only to miss more match darts and Gates hit 52 to break back. Bunting missed another match darts but Gates was only able to pressure and the St Helens ace got over the line on double five.