PETER WRIGHT SECURED a return to the final of the William Hill World Darts Championship with a thrilling victory over fellow former champion Gary Anderson on Sunday.
The 2020 winner will face Michael Smith, the runner-up three years ago, in Monday’s final after seeing off Anderson 6-4 in a high-quality second semi-final at Alexandra Palace.
Wright, who later revealed a knee injury had been causing him discomfort, was pegged back to 3-2 and then 5-4 after opening in style by winning the first three sets.
Anderson then took a leg against the throw to nudge ahead in the 10th set but second seed Wright recovered to hold off his fellow Scot and reach the final for a third time.
Wright, who averaged 104 and threw a tournament record of 24 180s in the match, told Sky Sports: “To get a win over Gary Anderson, one of the greatest Scottish darts players there has ever been… the way both of us didn’t give up, it was so hard. I’m exhausted.
“I knew that (fightback) was going to happen. I couldn’t stop him. What a game of darts – phenomenal.”
𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟! 🐍
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 2, 2022
What. A. Match.
Peter Wright defeats Gary Anderson 6-4 in an absolute thriller to book his spot in the final of the 2022 World Championship!
Can Snakebite double his world title tally?#WHDarts pic.twitter.com/RavvT6Ppyw
Wright now intends to rest his knee before returning to the arena for the final.
“In the past few days I’ve had a knee injury,” he said. “I’ve got strapping on it and it’s burning like hell at the moment. I’ve got to rest it up but it’ll be all right for tomorrow (Monday).”
His opponent will be Smith, who held off a James Wade fightback to book his second appearance in the final.
Wade rallied from 5-1 down but could not maintain the momentum as his fellow Englishman won through 6-3.
“It was a tough game,” said Smith, who fired 16 180s and averaged 101. “I knew he was going to push me.
“There was one set where he hit 180 after 180. It was about keeping my cool then.
“You’re not gifted things in life. I’ve not deserved it – I have worked hard for it.”
Smith opened strongly by taking the first leg in 13 darts and soon led by two sets.
Wade responded by taking the third set in the deciding leg with a 121 checkout and then took the first two legs of the fourth.
Yet Smith hit back to take the set and the next two to open up a 5-1 lead. Wade claimed the next two to reduce the deficit but could not maintain the momentum and slipped to semi-final defeat for a fourth time in his career.
“I am over the moon,” said Smith. “The first set was dodgy then the next five sets I felt I played really well.
“Then you have to pinch yourself, you need one more set and you’re into the final. It’s a lot easier when it’s the last 16 or for a quarter-final but I’m proud of myself for the way I held my nerve at the end.”
So in theory once, and if, Ireland have scored four tries they can (kinda) decide who they want to play in the quarter finals (and to eliminate SA from the competition)….. However, that’s not what this team is about. They’ll have the simple goal to beat Scotland off the park.
@Thomas Patton: Technically correct, but great motivation for whichever team was ‘picked’ to be the lesser of two evils
@Brian Donohoe: you’d imagine intentionally losing a world cup game by 20+ PTS would have serious consequences
@Ciaran Kennedy: Yeah. If Scotland score 4 tries against us, we’re not going to be winning a QF
@Kevin Ryan: meanwhile on against the head, Donal Lenihan says that Scotland need 4 tries to progress and nobody corrects him. Punditry sucks.
It is quite simple lads… please just win – dont care how or by how much. My heart would not be able to take the stress of it. The closer it gets the more nervous I feel.
Ireland will be 100% focussed as always , everyone knows their roles and the game plan . The goal is to win against Scotland and then prepare for the next team we are drawn against. That’s it . This being the tougher side of the draw we were always going to have to do this the hard way.
Ireland lose by 4 or fewer : top group.
Lose by 5, 6 or 7, top group if no Scotland bonus point.
Lose by 5 and Scotland bonus: top group if same or more tries against Scotland (or 2 bonus points).
Lose by 6 or 7 and Scotland bonus : through only if 2 bonus points.
Lose by 8-19 : Ireland out.
Lose by > 20 : Ireland second if 4 try bonus
Lose by 20. Ireland second if 4 try bonus, only if Scotland score at least 3 more tries than Ireland!
@Graham Glendinning: Any of those later options will mean a steward’s inquiry
@Graham Glendinning: Corrections.
Note – lreland lose with try bonus, and no Scotland bonus: Ireland through
Ireland lose by 4 or fewer : top group.
Lose by 5, 6 or 7, top group if no Scotland bonus point (or 2 Ireland bonus points).
Lose by 5 and Scotland bonus: top group if same or more tries against Scotland (or 2 bonus points).
Lose by 6 or 7 and Scotland bonus : through only if 2 bonus points.
Lose by 8-19 : Ireland out (unless try bonus and no Scotland try bonus)
Lose by 20. Ireland second if 4 try bonus, only if Scotland score at least 3 more tries than Ireland!
Lose by > 20 : Ireland second if 4 try bonus for Ireland and Scotland
Would it be better to play France? Unfortunately, I feel we’ve eliminated that opportunity now with our success so far. Maybe Italy could do us a favour…
@Sam Bingham: Why would it be better to play France?
@Kevin Liston: hi Kevin, I’ve used the punctuation known as a question mark to indicate I’m asking a question. You actually nailed it first time in your response buddy, so you should get to grips with it pretty quickly.
@Sam Bingham: did u watch new zealand v italy oh boy
In that final scenario, wouldn’t SA’s better head-to-head have them ahead of Scotland?
@John Dooney: forget that
@John Dooney: ya my head wrecked even reading that post from murray haha
@John Dooney: The odd thing is that in a 3-way tie where each beat one of the others, it is points difference to decide the winner, but head to head for second-third. I think in the Heineken cups it is points difference for all 3.