Stephen Bunting Claims Premier League Darts Night Four Victory in Belfast
Stephen Bunting secured his first nightly win of the 2026 Premier League Darts season in Belfast, defeating Gian van Veen 6-2 in the final. The night also featured a nine-dart finish from Josh Rock, electrifying the home crowd, whereas Luke Littler continued to struggle for form.
Bunting’s Road to Victory
‘The Bullet’ had previously failed to win a match in this year’s tournament but found his stride in Belfast. He overcame defending champion Luke Humphries 6-4 in the quarterfinals and followed up with a dominant 6-0 victory over Jonny Clayton in the semi-finals to reach the final.
Van Veen Falls in Third Final
Gian van Veen, who had reached the previous two nightly finals in his debut campaign, comfortably defeated Josh Rock 6-2 in the quarterfinals, despite Rock’s spectacular nine-dart finish. Van Veen then battled through a close semi-final against Gerwyn Price, which went to a deciding leg.
Rock’s Nine-Darter Steals the Show
Despite his quarterfinal loss to Van Veen, Josh Rock provided a memorable moment for the Belfast crowd, achieving a perfect nine-dart finish. He was presented with a custom-made set of 18-carat gold darts, worth £30,000, by tournament sponsors BetMGM ESPN.
Bunting Reflects on Breakthrough Win
“Losing seven or eight [matches] on the spin last year really helped me to be honest,” Bunting said after the win. “It gave me a lot of experience in this field. When you are playing in the Premier League, it is against the best of the best. I am overjoyed to be honest – this has got to rank up there with one of the best wins of my career.” BBC Sport
Current Standings
Jonny Clayton remains at the top of the table with 11 points, two ahead of Gian van Veen. Stephen Bunting’s victory moves him up to fifth, surpassing Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. Josh Rock remains at the bottom of the table. ESPN
Littler Continues to Struggle
World champion Luke Littler suffered a 6-3 defeat against Clayton in the opening quarterfinal. He has won only one match in the first three weeks of the tournament and was previously defeated 6-1 by Clayton in Glasgow. ESPN