ST HELENS thrower Stephen Bunting bowed out of the HappyBet European Darts Open in Dusseldorf at the semi-final stage.

It was Bunting's first European Tour semi-final appearance but he was knocked out 6-4 by Peter Wright, who went on to lose to world number one Michael van Gerwen 6-5 in the final.

 Wright was arguably more impressive on his way to the final than in the decider.

He needed to average over 100 to overhaul Bunting.

Bunting was a 6-4 winner against Terry Jenkins in the last eight, having progressed thanks to ending the hopes of fellow St Helens darter Michael Smith 6-3.

Bunting's highest win came in the second round, sending out German Stefan Stoyke 6-1.

Smith got to the third round thanks to a 6-4 result against James Richardson.

Another St Helens thrower, Dave Chisnall, fell 6-3 to Dutchman Jan Dekker.

Chisnall was the only seeded player to crash out of the second round's evening session.

In a dogged match, the doubles proved clinical with Dekker landing 42 per cent to Chisnall’s 27 per cent.

The European Tour continues in Riesa, Germany, from September 2-4 with the HappyBet International Darts Open.