Bunting Battles Past Anderson To Reach Last Eight

Stephen Bunting is done to nan World Matchplay quarter-finals aft a nervy 12-10 triumph complete Gary Anderson astatine Winter Gardens successful Blackpool

A topsy-turvy lucifer saw Scotland's Anderson lead 6-4, only for Bunting to rattle disconnected 5 successive legs - a tally that included missing retired connected a nine-darter successful nan 15th pinch nan last throw.

The 40-year-old Englishman past missed a lucifer dart to complete a 101 checkout and 11-9 success, pinch 2018 champion Anderson taking nan limb alternatively to level astatine 10-10.

But 4th seed Bunting responded again by claiming nan adjacent 2 legs, including a 112 checkout, to group up a last-eight gathering pinch 2023 runner-up Jonny Clayton, who hit Belgium's Mike de Decker 11-8.

"I was so, truthful nervous, playing a fable of nan athletics successful Gary Anderson connected this stage," Bunting told Sky Sports.

"I tried to put that astatine nan backmost of my mind but I conscionable couldn't and for immoderate logic I couldn't find my champion form. I'm truthful happy pinch nan triumph but I conscionable request to get to bed, I'm shattered."

England's James Wade averaged 102.5 and had checkouts of 126, 121 and 108 arsenic he thrashed Wessel Nijman of nan Netherlands 11-5.

"It wasn't an astonishing capacity from me. I was conscionable really fortunate nan young lad didn't play really he can," 2007 victor Wade told Sky Sports.

"Who cares astir doubles, who cares astir averages. We conscionable attraction astir having a awesome clip and nan crowd enjoying themselves."

Wade will play Gian van Veen adjacent aft nan Dutchman, who knocked retired defending champion Luke Humphries, hit compatriot Danny Noppert 11-5.