Stephen Bunting shows off top form heading into World Darts Championship with win in Cheltenham

Stephen Bunting took the overall victory on Wednesday night at an exhibition tournament in Cheltenham, the venue that also hosts famous horse races every year.

The field of participants included as many as eight well-known darters. In addition to Bunting, Luke Humphries, Mark Webster, Daryl Gurney, Simon Whitlock, Robert Thornton, Joe Cullen and Fallon Sherrock were also in attendance.

Bunting won 4-1 over Thornton in his first match. In his second match, the former Lakeside champion convincingly triumphed 4-1 against Sherrock by throwing an average of 100.82. In the final he faced Gurney, who had defeated both Whitlock (4-1) and Humphries (4-2).  

The final was a high-level match. Both players threw averages above 100; Bunting 101.05 and Gurney 100.21. However, it was Bunting who prevailed 4-3 after he managed to produce no fewer than five 180 scores in seven legs.

In addition to the singles tournament, the eight top darters also played a pairs tournament in Cheltenham. Gurney and Sherrock formed a duo and they won 4-2 over Bunting and Webster in the first semifinal. In the second semifinal, Cullen and Whitlock were 4-2 too strong for Humphries and Thornton. Whitlock and Cullen then also won the final by beating Gurney and Sherrock 4-1.

Many world top players play exhibitions during this period. Not primarily for a nice extra pocket money, but also to keep up match rhythm ahead of the World Darts Championship.

Luke Humphries 4-1 Mark Webster

Daryl Gurney 4-1 Simon Whitlock

Stephen Bunting 4-1 Robert Thornton

Fallon Sherrock 4-1 Joe Cullen

Daryl Gurney 4-2 Luke Humphries

Stephen Bunting 4-1 Fallon Sherrock

Stephen Bunting (101.05) 4-3 (100.21) Daryl Gurney

Daryl Gurney/Fallon Sherrock 4-2 Stephen Bunting/Mark Webster

Joe Cullen/Simon Whitlock 4-2 Luke Humphries/Robert Thornton

Joe Cullen/Simon Whitlock 4-1 Daryl Gurney/Fallon Sherrock