Stephen Bunting silenced his critics as he inflicted a 3rd ultimate defeat of the season on Gian van Veen to win night time 4 of the Premier League in Belfast.

The 40-year-old has seen his place within the event questioned by spectators after he didn’t win a recreation within the first three weeks.

That adopted ‘the Bullet’ taking 9 weeks to register some extent in final yr’s occasion – his first involvement since being a challenger in 2020.

Bunting, who has come off social media due to the criticism, registered his highest Premier League common (106.63) in his 6-4 quarter-final win over defending champion Luke Humphries.

He backed that up with one other 106 common in a 6-0 clear sweep in opposition to present league chief Jonny Clayton within the semi-finals, earlier than a scientific 6-2 win over Van Veen within the ultimate.

“I do imagine I’m among the best gamers on the earth – I need to be within the Premier League,” Bunting advised Sky Sports activities.

“Everybody was writing me off, individuals saying I shouldn’t be in it, however I understand how laborious I work behind the scenes. These are the nights I play for.

“Dropping seven or eight on the bounce final yr actually helped me, gave me a number of expertise on this area. Whenever you play within the Premier League, you are taking part in in opposition to one of the best of one of the best. This ranks up as among the best wins of my profession.”

Van Veen, who’s taking part in within the event for the primary time, has impressed in making three finals in 4 weeks however is struggling to recover from the road.

Northern Eire’s Josh Rock, who’s the opposite debutant on this yr’s area, misplaced 6-2 to Van Veen within the quarters, however delighted the house crowd with the primary nine-darter of this yr’s event.

Elsewhere, there was extra disappointment for world primary Luke Littler, who misplaced 6-3 to Clayton within the quarter-finals, that means he has solely gained one recreation in 4 weeks.