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.”
There really should be a weigh in this week between Neil McGee and Aidan O’Shea, gaa missing a trick. That battle will be worth the entrance price on Saturday alone.
https://www.google.ie/search?q=aidan+o%27shea+neil+mcgee&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:%7Breferrer:source%7D&tbm=isch&imgil=-VcyNjXI–wERM%253A%253BSx4wS_IXyxhDWM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.livegaelic.com%25252Fnews%25252Fgaa-daily-news-112%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=-VcyNjXI–wERM%253A%252CSx4wS_IXyxhDWM%252C_&biw=1366&bih=643&usg=__hgyweLbMecUpcwrb22IcXi5epDI%3D&ved=0CC0QyjdqFQoTCLSCzebykscCFTAG2wodE40E9Q&ei=hYHCVfSrDrCM7AaTmpKoDw#imgrc=-VcyNjXI–wERM%3A&usg=__hgyweLbMecUpcwrb22IcXi5epDI%3D
Really hope Mayo leave O’Shea on the edge of the square for the whole game. That’d be some battle for 70 mins. McGee is as physical a full back as you’d come across but I still soon by think he has the physically to match O’Shea. It’ll be some battle
Good player donegal have there work cut out with this fellow
So have Mayo no plans to give Michael Murphy a bit of attention on Saturday.Trying to get into the refs head
All managers play mind game these days. In fairness the bigger players can find it hard to win frees. Michael Murphy another example.
Maybe Donegal should play the Sligo tactics against Mayo. God the regular
losers think they can sinc out a team like Donegal .
Ah sure Mayo have the all ireland won already.
I was talking to a Mayo man who is waiting for the final before going to Croke Park
up donegal.
This stage last year against Armagh Lacey and Murphy and many others had players hanging off them and choking their throats – nowt was done and no black cards.
It’s sad that if 2 marquee players – one a player if the year and one the Irish captain – can’t be protected then what hope is there for the others?
Ah now peter, Donegal are infamous for their cynical play and underhand tactics. When u have the two megees in your team u can’t really complain about getting a hard deal from refs, also murphy is very good at winning frees
Bull. Can’t argue with stats. Best discipline record of the top 6.
McGee is used to standing up to bullies – e.g. Marriage equality.
Next up Mayo boss warns Donegal not to beat them next Saturday!
Shocker!
McGee is an old style full back, no nonsense and plays hard but I think plays fair. Aidan wil face a different animal Sat but I think he will jus shade this battle. c’mon Maigh Eo
He may be old school but can play ball too. Not many full backs venture up the field to pop over points like he does