IT HAS been a case of so far, so good for the St Helens trio in the SINGHA Beer Grand Slam of Darts.

Unbeaten Stephen Bunting and Michael Smith topped their groups to move into the knockout stages on Thursday where they play James Wade and Christian Kist respectively.

Dave Chisnall plays Robbie Green tonight (Wednesday).

Bunting dedicated his last win to his partner’s step-mother, whose funeral he attended on Tuesday.

He said: “My performances have been really good and I know that if I’m playing my game then I can beat anyone and I’m enjoying my darts at the moment.”

Former World Youth Champion Smith added Brendan Dolan to the scalps of Simon Whitlock and Peter Wright to go through to round two unbeaten.

“I’m really pleased to have come through such a tough group, and to finish top is a bonus really.

“I know I need to be more consistent over the longer format, but I’m playing pretty well – I’m here to win this tournament.”