In a dazzling display of darts mastery, Chris Dobey, affectionately known as ‘Hollywood,’ clinched his maiden nightly victory of the 2025 Premier League Darts season in Rotterdam, dismantling Stephen ‘The Bullet’ Bunting 6-2 in a commanding final. The Bedlington ace was in scintillating form, averaging an impressive 101.65, firing two 180s, and nailing 6 of 9 doubles to secure a triumph that had been long in the making.
Dobey’s path to glory began with a 6-3 rout of world-class Luke Humphries, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. He then turned up the heat against Nathan Aspinall, posting a jaw-dropping double-ton average to dispatch ‘The Asp’ with ease. By the time he faced Bunting, Dobey was unstoppable, delivering a performance that radiated confidence and precision.
The final kicked off with Bunting striking first, holding throw with a clinical 13-darter on double 20. But Dobey was unfazed, leveling the score at 1-1 before unleashing a breathtaking 162 checkout followed by a 52 to snatch a 2-1 lead. The momentum was firmly with Hollywood as he powered to 3-1 with a 92 checkout and then 4-1 via double 16. A rare miss on a 98 checkout gave Bunting a glimmer of hope, but Dobey quickly extinguished it, returning to hit double 20. Despite a momentary fightback from Bunting, who clawed a leg back to make it 5-2, Dobey sealed the deal with a composed 72 checkout on double 20, sparking wild celebrations.
Statistically, Dobey was in a league of his own. His 101.84 average dwarfed Bunting’s 97.12, while his 66.7% checkout success rate (6/9) outshone Bunting’s 50% (2/4). Dobey’s ten 100+ scores and five 140+ hits underscored his dominance, with a spectacular 92 as his highest checkout stealing the show.
While this victory doesn’t yet secure Dobey a playoff spot, it’s a massive statement of intent from a player who has been knocking on the door of Premier League glory. The win comes at a pivotal moment, with Bunting and Aspinall both showing signs of a resurgence in recent weeks. For Dobey, this could be the catalyst for a title-chasing run as the season progresses.
Next up, the darts caravan rolls into Munich for the European Tour over the Easter weekend, kicking off on Saturday rather than the traditional Friday. Then, it’s off to Liverpool for the next Premier League night, where Gerwyn Price, buoyed by his comments earlier in Rotterdam, will be eager to make his mark. But for now, the spotlight belongs to Chris Dobey, whose Hollywood flair lit up Rotterdam and delivered a night to remember.
Match Stats: Chris Dobey vs. Stephen Bunting
- Average (3 Darts): 101.84 (Dobey) vs. 97.12 (Bunting)
- 100+ Thrown: 10 (Dobey) vs. 7 (Bunting)
- 140+ Thrown: 5 (Dobey) vs. 4 (Bunting)
- 180 Thrown: 2 (Dobey) vs. 3 (Bunting)
- Highest Checkout: 92 (Dobey) vs. 40 (Bunting)
- Checkout Percentage: 66.7% (Dobey) vs. 50% (Bunting)
- Checkouts: 6/9 (Dobey) vs. 2/4 (Bunting)
