STEPHEN Bunting bowed out to Ian White in a high-scoring thriller at the BetVictor World Matchplay today at the Winter Gardens.

White emerged victorious with a 10-6 win over St Helens thrower Bunting in a game which saw 17 maximum 180s hit and both players average over 100, although it was three ton-plus finishes for the number nine seed which proved crucial in the final outcome.

White's first big checkout came with a 127 finish in the game's second leg as he came from one down to take a 3-1 lead, and he also took out 118 before Bunting finished a pair of 11-darters in hitting back to 5-4.

Bunting then levelled in a dramatic tenth leg as White was punished for missing darts at doubles across three visits - only to see the tables turned in a crucial 11th leg as a pair of misses at double 16 from the St Helens ace allowed his rival to regain the lead.

White the took out an 11-darter and a 112 finish in moving 9-5 up, with Bunting hitting tops to reply before his rival sealed victory in the next by hitting the same bed to set up a second round meeting with Simon Whitlock.

White ended the game with an average of 103.51 and landed eight 180s, and admitted: "It ranks amongst by best performances on TV and it shows that my game's there, but I've got to be consistent and that's my aim now.

"You have to play well against Stephen and keep the pressure on him. I took some good ton-plus finishes out and you need to do that against a player of Stephen's quality."