Bunting sets up semi-final showdown with Price after edgy win over Searle

Friday, 08 October 2021 at 00:15

Stephen Bunting is through to the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix after seeing off Ryan Searle in a 3-1 victory.

It was an edgy contest which Searle will be kicking himself for losing as Bunting now confirms a showdown with Gerwyn Price tomorrow night in the second match of the semi-finals.

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Searle took an opening break with an 87 checkout and with Bunting failing to get off initially on 'Heavy Metal's throw, he held the advantage.

Bunting missed 84 on the bull and Searle had two opportunities to hold and he finally claimed it last dart on double five for a 2-0 lead.

Searle pressured with a 174 set up but spurned his chance at 88 and Bunting returned for his first leg on double eight.

Searle missed double 12 for a 104 checkout for the set but a dart in the bull going for 65 allowed Searle back for the set.

A 168 set up left 40 for Searle but he missed six darts to hold and Bunting had an unexpected chance to to break and go 1-0 up.

He followed that up with a 16 darter on double 10 and looked in pole position to level up.

A 55 checkout looked to halt that from Searle but the latter couldn't get in straight away on Bunting's throw and he took the initiative. With Searle way back, he busted and had a second shot at the set which he claimed on double 12.

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Back to back 180's saw Searle spark into life but he missed an 80 checkout to break. This was not punished with a 76 checkout missed and Searle took it against the throw.

A 130 set up left 75 for Searle which he missed on double 20 but with Bunting way back, he could take his time pinning double five to go 2-0 up.

Searle hit a 180 but Bunting pinned 104 to make it 2-1. It turned in Bunting's favour as Searle kicked himself after missing six for the set.

An 82 checkout completed the comeback as Bunting went 2-1 up in sets. Searle left 170 for a nine-darter but after not pinning it, he hit double 20 for the lead as he looked to level up.

A 100 checkout saw Bunting level and he missed the 132 checkout only for Searle to pin 43.

Both players had 160 starts but two treble 20's fell out for Searle and Bunting took advantage to send it all the way.

Searle missed 100 for the set but Bunting missed three match darts. But 'Heavy Metal' slipped into single 20 after going inside single five and thinking he bust and Bunting claimed it.

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𝗕𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗦! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Stephen Bunting sets up a semi-final clash with Gerwyn Price after closing out a 3-1 success over Ryan Searle! Sheer darting drama.