European Darts Grand Prix Saturday afternoon Round-Up | Defending champion Anderson dumped out as Bunting and Rock surge through

The European Darts Grand Prix continued on Saturday afternoon with a stacked line-up of darting stars throughout both sessions in Sindelfingen.

Gary Anderson faced Niko Springer, while Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock and Chris Dobey were also among the top names involved at the European Darts Grand Prix in the opening session.

For Anderson who is defending champion, it was an early exit for him against home hero Niko Springer who of course is a former European Tour winner but has not massively had the rub of the green since his emergence.

But he did today. He broke early hitting 62 to break for 1-0 up. He breezed into a huge lead in reality and Anderson came back at him strong but just had too much to do. Springer hit 69 to break for 2-1 and broke again on double five with Anderson suspect on the outer ring. This saw him go 4-1 up and he was throwing for 5-1. But Anderson broke back with a 108 checkout for 4-2 down to ask that question.

He continued to do so with Springer breaking to go one away for 5-2 but missed 68 for the win and Anderson pinned double eight to go 5-3 down. But Springer hit 100 to win.

Stephen Bunting is also through to the next round after taking down Mickey Mansell in a tough tie on paper against the Clonoe Cyclone who as well as running into Michael Smith a lot recently has been superb.

But Bunting found a way and like that Anderson tie it was very much a war of attrition in regards to Bunting leading early and being chipped back at by Mansell. Bunting broke with a 124 checkout to lead 3-1 early on. That break was consolidated with a 12-darter on double eight as he went 4-1 up.

A chance for Bunting went missing on 75 and Mansell held throw for 4-2 on double 12. Mansell broke back pinning double 10 for 4-3 but Bunting had a late surge hitting 104 and double 20 to win 6-3.

Chris Dobey was also supremely good as he took down Andrew Gilding. He went 2-0 up with a 62 and 68 with superb combo finishing and an 18 darter on double two saw him go 3-0 up.

A 52 checkout for a 12-darter saw Dobey go 4-1 up heading towards the finish. Gilding hit back with a beautiful 164 to go 4-2 down. An 87 checkout though saw him spell the end to Gilding winning it 6-2. Danny Noppert had more issues as he was taken all the way to a decider by a plucky Oskar Lukasiak but he won through 6-5.

Josh Rock also won through seeing off Keane Barry in the final match of the session 6-3. He broke early with a 158 checkout and followed it up with 65 to hold.

Barry held finally but Rock hit double 18 to go 3-1 up. Rock hit 92 to go 4-2 ahead while Barry hit 90 to go 4-3 down. Rock though hit a brilliant 128 checkout though to win.

Jermaine Wattimena weathered the war of the Dutch as he won through 6-3 over Kevin Doets who has been in fabulous form recently. Krzysztof Ratajski has been too and he made light work of Mike de Decker 6-4.

Wessel Nijman was also ultra impressive again. He averaged 104 to continue his form and see off Ryan Searle 6-2 to move through to the final day. He won his third ProTour of the year earlier this week.