Stephen Bunting (Picture: Lawrence Lustig)

World Darts results: Former world champion Stephen Bunting wins epic Jose Justicia clash

By Sporting Life

08:09 · THU December 19, 2019

A review of Wednesday's action at the William Hill World Darts Championship as former world champion Stephen Bunting squeaks through.

World Championship schedule and results

EVENING SESSION

Walkover for Wade

Two-time World Championship semi-finalist James Wade enjoyed a simpler passage into round three as he saw off Ritchie Edhouse in straight sets.

A typically clinical performance from the nine-time televised title winner saw him miss just five darts at double, never allowing Edhouse a way in to the contest.

"I felt really nervous tonight, I was a bit uncomfortable up there," said Wade. "I should've been more comfortable but I'm happy to be through.

"I'm happy to be through but I should have a different mindset for the next one."

Kurz comes close to perfection

Nico Kurz almost made an amazing impact on his World Championship debut, with the German youngster hitting eight perfect darts during his impressive 3-1 win over James Wilson.

Kurz came just millimetres away from hitting a perfect nine-darter on his first game on the Alexndra Palace stage with the width of the wire on double 12 between him and history.

However, Kurz did manage to complete the victory to ensure a winning debut on the big stage for the talented 22-year-old, who has already beaten Gary Anderson this season in July's German Darts Masters.

Clemens crashes out

Gabriel Clemens missed four match darts as he crashed out to Dutchman Benito van de Pas 3-2.

Van de Pas was the underdog coming into the contest, but he never allowed Clemens to take the lead in sets before coming back from 2-0 down in the last set to snatch victory.

Josh Payne had no such trouble in disposing of Brazilian Diogo Portela, as he ran out a commanding 3-0 winner.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Bunting dodges a bullet

Former Lakeside world champion Stephen Bunting escaped with a 3-2 win after an epic struggle with Jose Justicia in a match that swung one way and the next at Alexandra Palace.

Bunting, the 2014 BDO champion, was pushed all the way to a deciding set, which also went the distance before Bunting eventually pulled the two clear legs needed for victory to claim a third round spot 6-4.

There was not much between the two, with Bunting averaging 93.49 and Justicia 91.87, although Bunting dominated the 180 hitting with 10 to his opponent's two. Checkouts wise they were also evenly matched, and it was only Bunting's experience that counted in the end.

Bunting moved 2-0 ahead in the deciding set before being pegged back, as he missed a double six for the match in the third leg. Justicia took that one, and the fourth, to move the match into extra time as two clear legs were needed for victory until at 5-5 it would go to sudden death.

Justicia then moved ahead but a bullseye finish from Bunting kept him in the match, and he then turned the screw by going 5-4 ahead and the Spaniard this time had no answer as Bunting avoided sudden death by taking the tenth to go thorugh 6-4.

"I'm massively relieved, it was a difficult game because Jose kept battling back," said Bunting. "I always felt up for the battle and to win it in the way I did shows I've got the guts.

"I haven't won on this stage in four years and that was at the back of my mind, so it's good to get rid of that record.

"I truly believe I can win this tournament and now it's about going out there and showing it."

Comeback magic from Harry

Harry Ward produced a miraculous comeback to secure victory on his World Championship debut against Latvia’s Madars Razma.

Ward, a winner of a PDC Players Championship event in May, took the opening set 3-0 but then lost eight successive legs to trail 2-1 in sets and 2-0 in legs in the fourth set.

However, 22-year-old Ward showed great spirit to dig deep and turn the match on its head, winning the last six legs without reply to secure a hard-fought 3-2 win.

Asada drives out Mansell

Seigo Asada became the second Japanese player through to the second round with an impressive 3-0 demolition of Mickey Mansell.

Asada's accuracy on the outer ring saw him hit nine of his 13 attempts at double to prevent Northern Irishman Mansell from getting a foothold in the contest.

There were also a whitewash win for Dutchman Ron Meulenkamp who proved too strong for New Zealand debutant Ben Robb.

World Darts Championship: Wednesday results & Thursday schedule

Wednesday December 18
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

Ron Meulenkamp 3-0 Ben Robb (First Round)
Mickey Mansell 0-3 Seigo Asada (First Round)
Harry Ward 3-2 Madars Razma (First Round)
Stephen Bunting 3-2 Jose Justicia (Second Round)

Evening Session (1900)
First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

James Wilson 1-3 Nico Kurz (First Round)
Josh Payne 3-0 Diogo Portela (First Round)
Gabriel Clemens 2-3 Benito van de Pas (First Round)
James Wade 3-0 Edhouse (Second Round)

Thursday December 19
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

Justin Pipe v Benjamin Pratnemer (First Round)
Ryan Joyce v Jan Dekker (First Round)
John Henderson v Richardson (Second Round)
Steve Beaton v K Anderson (Second Round)

Evening Session (1900)
Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

Chris Dobey v Meulenkamp (Second Round)
Danny Noppert v Callan Rydz (Second Round)
Dave Chisnall v Vincent Van der Voort (Second Round)
Gerwyn Price v William O’Connor (Second Round)

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