Stephen Bunting closed the Premier League darts stage in style in Sheffield, beating Luke Humphries 6-3. Meanwhile, Humphries’ run to the final means he will avoid a semi-final against Luke Littler at Finals Night in London.

Bunting’s night was more than a single result. He averaged north of 106 and landed seven 180s across his matches, producing a high-quality display that lifted him to fifth in the final table. A finish that secures his place among the season’s top performers and underlines his consistency. His Sheffield run included a 161 checkout and a string of 100-plus finishes that swung momentum in his favour.

Darts: key results

• Quarter-finals: Bunting beat Jonny Clayton; Gerwyn Price beat Gian van Veen; Luke Littler edged Josh Rock; Luke Humphries beat Michael van Gerwen.
• Semi-finals: Humphries dismantled Littler 6-1; Bunting overcame Price 6-3.
• Final: Bunting 6–3 Humphries.

Humphries’ semi-final win over Littler was decisive: a 6-1 scoreline that not only booked his place in the Sheffield final but also rearranged the Finals Night draw. Instead of facing world No 1 Luke Littler in a semi, Humphries will meet Jonny Clayton at The O2; Littler will play Gerwyn Price. That switch matters because it changes matchups and tactical approaches for the four qualifiers.

Humphries: form and positioning

Humphries leaves Sheffield with mixed takeaways. He reached his fourth consecutive nightly final and moved up the standings to third overall, confirming his spot at Finals Night. His route there featured strong scoring and a 100-plus average in key matches, but the final exposed vulnerabilities that Bunting exploited. Humphries’ ability to peak at the right moments keeps him a live threat in London.

Meanwhile, Littler scraped past Josh Rock in the quarters but was well short of his best in Sheffield. The 19-year-old’s form dipped enough that he missed the chance to extend his nightly-win tally, leaving him to regroup before Finals Night. The four qualifiers for The O2 are now set: Littler, Humphries, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price, a compact, high-stakes field where small margins will decide the title.

Sheffield closed the league phase with a clean result: Bunting’s best night of the season, Humphries’ tactical success in avoiding Littler in the semis, and a Finals Night draw that sets up tight, high-quality semis at The O2 next week.

Featured image via Getty/Carl Recine

By Faz Ali

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