World Matchplay Darts: Stephen Bunting beats Gary Anderson to reach quarter-finals

Stephen Bunting is through to the World Matchplay quarter-finals after a nervy 12-10 win over Gary Anderson at Winter Gardens in Blackpool

A topsy-turvy match saw Scotland’s Anderson lead 6-4, only for Bunting to rattle off five successive legs – a run that included missing out on a nine-darter in the 15th with the final throw.

The 40-year-old Englishman then missed a match dart to complete a 101 checkout and 11-9 success, with 2018 champion Anderson taking the leg instead to level at 10-10.

But fourth seed Bunting responded again by claiming the next two legs, including a 112 checkout, to set up a last-eight meeting with 2023 runner-up Jonny Clayton, who beat Belgium’s Mike de Decker 11-8.

“I was so, so nervous, playing a legend of the sport in Gary Anderson on this stage,” Bunting told Sky Sports.