Bunting had to fill in last minute at Euro Tour last weekend: "It’s never ideal preparation to be called up late"

Stephen Bunting looked set to miss the Austrian Darts Open last weekend, but got a call to travel to Austria after all.

This was because Jim Williams cancelled at the last minute. As Bunting was the highest-placed player to lose in the final round of the qualifying tournament, 'The Bullet' was the first reserve for this tournament.

However, he could not enjoy taking part in the Austrian Darts Open for long. Despite an average of almost 96, it was 6-3 to his opponent Daryl Gurney.

“Yes, it’s never ideal preparation to be called up late but I worked hard to be in that position and knew it was always a realistic possibility of getting the call up," said Bunting on his website.

"I felt that I played well enough to win but didn’t take my chances and he did. Pretty much the tale of the tape.

“We play these best of eleven matches often so there’s little room for error in such a short format.

“But I enjoyed the occasion, will just chalk it down to experience and bounce back stronger.”