Stephen Bunting’s semi-final with Wesley Harms had
been a much closer affair, with the St Helens based
thrower taking a cagey opening set 3-2. He then
raced into a 2-0 lead in the second set before missed
doubles allowed Harms back in, the Dutchman
eventually taking the set 3-2 to level the match.
Again Bunting was in front in the third set, but more
missed doubles (to take the set 3-1), allowed Harms
to pounce, levelling with the help of a well timed 180
before moving on to secure the set and the overall
lead. Things then begun to swing Bunting’s way as
he found a crucial break of throw to move 2-1 up in
the fourth set. He went on to take it 3-1, leveling
the match before completing victory by taking the
deciding set 3-1.
“I was very nervous right until the last double went
in,” said Bunting.
Final
Wilson won the first set 3-0, with Bunting missing
10 darts at double along the way, but things looked
to be closing up when Wilson himself missed two
darts at double to take the second set 3-1, allowing
Bunting in to level the set and then secure it in a
deciding leg.
The third set again went the way of Wilson, who
landed a 123 checkout in the opening leg to move
1-0 up before breaking the Bunting throw in 15-darts
and securing the set in the third leg with a solid hold
of throw.
Wilson again broke throw in the opening leg of the
fourth set, and when Bunting missed eight darts to
level the set in the second leg Wilson was able to
extend his lead to 3-1.
The fifth set saw Wilson take the opening leg before
Bunting produced a clinical checkout of 80 to level
up. A familiar pattern was emerging however and
Wilson took full advantage of a 180 in the third leg
to move in front, before breaking throw again to
take the set and a 4-1 lead.
The match was all over in the first set after the
break, Bunting checked out 88 to move in front in
the set before Wilson levelled with a 113 checkout.
Bunting then missed a further four darts at double to
hold throw, allowing Wilson in with a 124 checkout
on the bullseye to move within a leg of the match.
The final leg went without incident for Wilson who
wrapped up the match with a comfortable hold of
throw to claim the 2013 Zuiderduin Masters title and
gain just a little bit of revenge for his defeat at the
hands of Bunting in the Winmau World Matchplay
earlier on in the year.
“I’ve played Stephen before, in the final of the
Winmau, and I didn’t get a set then so I knew I had
to hit my doubles today,” said Wilson.
“I can’t put into words what it means to me to win
this title,” he added.
Bunting was gracious in defeat, “James played really
well there, he scored heavily and I always felt like
my doubles were under pressure,” he said. “He was
the better man today but roll on La