ST HELENS darter Stephen Bunting was runner up in Tuesday’s Players Championship 24 in Wigan after losing 8-5 to Wessel Nijman in a high-quality final.

Bunting, who had beaten Luke Littler in the semi-finals, took out 100 twice as he took a 2-0 lead in the final, but Nijman fired back with five straight legs as he took command.

The Dutchman also extended his lead to 7-3 before Bunting recovered from surviving three missed match darts to pull back to 7-5.

However, the 2024 Masters champion missed two darts at doubles to continue his fightback, and Nijman stepped in on double 18 to join the elite list of ProTour event winners.

Bunting was bidding to end a three-year wait for a Players Championship win, and progressed to his third final of the year with a string of impressive displays - averaging between 92-103 throughout the event.

He overcame Danny Jansen, Stephen Burton, Jermaine Wattimena and Danny Noppert to reach the quarter-finals, before prevailing in a deciding leg against Ted Evetts and Luke Littler to reach the final - where he averaged over 101 in defeat.

The Players Championship treble-header continues on Wednesday from 1300 local time, with action from four streams simultaneously being streamed on PDCTV.

2024 Players Championship 24.

Tuesday October 1, Robin Park Tennis Centre, Wigan.

Last 16.

Dom Taylor 6-5 Karel Sedlacek.

Gary Anderson 6-2 Luke Humphries.

Wessel Nijman 6-3 Jose De Sousa.

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Rob Cross.

Ted Evetts 6-3 Ross Smith.

Stephen Bunting 6-3 Danny Noppert.

Luke Littler 6-3 Mike De Decker.

Martijn Dragt 6-5 Gian van Veen.

Quarter-Finals.

Gary Anderson 6-5 Dom Taylor.

Wessel Nijman 6-2 Krzysztof Ratajski.

Stephen Bunting 6-5 Ted Evetts.

Luke Littler 6-3 Martijn Dragt.

Semi-Finals.

Wessel Nijman 7-5 Gary Anderson.

Stephen Bunting 7-6 Luke Littler.

Final.

Wessel Nijman 8-5 Stephen Bunting.