In the electric atmosphere of a packed Portsmouth venue, Stephen Bunting delivered a statement that reverberated through the darts world like a perfectly timed 180. On a crisp Saturday night, the affable Liverpudlian, affectionately known as ‘The Bullet,’ clinched victory at the Untouchables 15 exhibition event, capping off a thrilling evening by overcoming a formidable field that included the teenage prodigy Luke Littler. This pre-Christmas spectacle wasn’t just another warm-up— it was a high-stakes preview of the battles to come at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, where Bunting will enter as a top contender hungry for glory.
The event, held in the heart of England’s south coast, drew a star-studded lineup of darts heavyweights, blending seasoned pros with rising talents eager to make their mark. Among the competitors were Steve Beaton, the evergreen veteran with his trademark cool demeanor; Chris Dobey, the precise finisher from the northeast; Josh Rock, the Northern Irish powerhouse; Adam Lipscombe, the local hero feeding off the home crowd’s energy; 12-year-old sensation Jayden Walker, whose precocious skill turned heads; Gemma Hayter, a tenacious women’s contender; and Keegan Brown, the left-handed maestro looking to rediscover his spark. Towering over them all, both literally and figuratively, was Littler—the reigning world champion and global sensation whose meteoric rise has redefined the sport.
The night kicked off with a bang in the preliminary rounds, where young Walker faced his biggest test yet against Littler. The 12-year-old phenom, already turning pro heads with his unflinching poise, put up a valiant fight but couldn’t breach the wall of experience. Littler dispatched him 3-0 in a clinical display, his darts finding the treble bed with surgical precision, underscoring why he’s the name on every fan’s lips. “It’s always tough facing the young guns—they come at you with nothing to lose,” Bunting would later reflect, a nod to the fresh blood injecting new life into the oche.
As the main program ignited, the quarter-finals delivered drama in spades. Dobey stormed through Keegan Brown with a ruthless 4-0 sweep, punctuated by a jaw-dropping 170 checkout that sent the crowd into a frenzy. The three-dart finish—treble 20, treble 20, double 16—landed like a thunderclap, a reminder of Dobey’s lethal finishing prowess. Meanwhile, Lipscombe channeled the spirit of the underdog, delighting the local faithful by toppling Josh Rock 4-2. The upset wasn’t handed over easily; Rock, known for his explosive power, clawed back from a deficit, but Lipscombe’s composure under pressure sealed the deal. “Playing at home makes you feel invincible,” Lipscombe beamed post-match, his grin as wide as the Solent.
Bunting, meanwhile, navigated a nail-biter against Steve Beaton, the pair trading legs in a chess match of strategy and stamina. It went all the way to a decider, where ‘The Bullet’ unleashed his trademark accuracy to edge it 4-3. Beaton, ever the sportsman, offered a respectful nod at the oche, but Bunting’s eyes were already fixed on the bigger prize. Littler advanced effortlessly, brushing aside Gemma Hayter in a one-sided affair that highlighted his dominance over less-favored opponents.
The semi-finals promised fireworks, and they delivered in the form of a Lipscombe-Dobey duel that had the arena on its feet. Dobey, the favorite, faltered in the clutch, allowing the home favorite to grind out a 4-3 triumph. Lipscombe’s victory wasn’t just skill—it was heart, fueled by the roar of a partisan crowd that treated every leg like a cup final.
But the true marquee matchup unfolded in the other semi: Bunting versus Littler, a clash pitting the people’s champion against the prodigy king. The air crackled with anticipation as the pair stepped up, Littler’s youthful swagger contrasting Bunting’s seasoned swagger. From the outset, it was a see-saw of brilliance—maximums flew, checkouts teased, and the scoreboard flickered like a heartbeat monitor. Littler struck first with his blistering pace, but Bunting countered with the wisdom of his 2014 BDO world title days, refusing to yield an inch.
Leg after leg, the tension mounted. Bunting’s darts whispered into the doubles with eerie consistency, while Littler’s power threatened to overwhelm. At 3-3, the decider loomed like a storm cloud, and it was here that ‘The Bullet’ found his groove. Averaging a blistering 100.27 across the match— a figure that would turn heads in any televised showdown— Bunting sealed the 4-3 win with a cool-as-ice double. The crowd erupted, a sea of flags and chants washing over the stage as Bunting raised his arms in triumph. Littler, gracious in defeat, shared a fist bump and a knowing smile, but the message was clear: Bunting is no longer just a fan favorite; he’s a force.
In the final, Bunting faced Lipscombe, the crowd’s darling, in what could have been a coronation for the underdog. Yet ‘The Bullet’ was in no mood for sentiment. He dismantled his opponent 4-2, mixing pinpoint finishes with unyielding pressure to lift the Untouchables 15 trophy. Lipscombe battled gamely, but Bunting’s experience shone through, his checkouts landing with the finality of a gavel.
Reflecting on the night that sent ripples ahead of Alexandra Palace, Bunting couldn’t hide his satisfaction. “This win feels massive—it’s a real confidence booster going into the Worlds,” he said, his Scouse accent laced with fire. “Beating Luke in a decider like that? It’s the kind of momentum you dream about. The boy’s a freak, but tonight, I showed I’ve still got plenty in the tank.” For Littler, it’s a minor setback in a season of dominance, but one that reminds even champions that the oche is a great equalizer.
This Portsmouth thriller wasn’t merely an exhibition; it was a microcosm of darts’ golden era—raw talent colliding with hard-earned grit, under the glow of adoring fans. As the 2026 World Championship draws nearer, Bunting’s victory serves as a clarion call. ‘The Bullet’ is locked and loaded, ready to trade blows with the elite. In a sport where one dart can rewrite history, Stephen Bunting just etched his name a little deeper into the legend. The Ally Pally faithful can’t wait for the encore.
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