The Merseyside thrower Endures Significant Fright while Nitin Kumar Creates History for Indian Darts.

Stephen Bunting narrowly avoided an early exit to move into the next stage of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.

The Merseysider, who was a losing semi-finalist last year, was taken all the way to a dramatic fifth leg by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before finally clinching a hard-fought victory at the iconic Ally Pally venue.

A Rollercoaster Encounter

Bunting made a flying start, averaging an incredible 119.4 en route to powering through the first set. He looked in total control after checking out a spectacular 160 finish to claim the second set.

Nevertheless, his momentum stalled, and he managed just one leg over the subsequent two sets. This allowed Bialecki – who remained unfazed even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to pull back. Bunting found his rhythm in the decider, but was still pushed to the limit before winning it 4-2.

“Competing at Ally Pally you go through all the feelings,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I was aware Sebastian was going to be difficult and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am fortunate to come through that one.”

Kumar Makes Landmark Victory

Bunting's second-round foe will be Nitin Kumar, who achieved a first by becoming the pioneering Indian at the tournament. He beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling match.

The veteran player, who had been defeated in all four of his prior first-round matches, remarked this breakthrough could have “paved the way to a billion” darts players from India.

“Words fail me at this moment. I’m ecstatic, I’m happy,” Kumar expressed. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This was my dream ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”

He joked with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, ten years from now if you have eight people in the world championship entering to Bollywood music, you know who started it.”

Other First-Round Action

• Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an impressive start, averaging 91.62 in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
• Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a clear 3-0 victory.
• Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the identical 3-0 margin.
• Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in excellent touch as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
• Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman beat Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
• James Hurrell: Rounded off the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.