Iceman Price Keeps Cool to Defy Boo Boys
Peter Wright admitted he was “annoyed” after getting soaked with a pint before grabbing a Unibet Premier League point. The World No.3 was hit by lager on his walk-on during the opening round but came from 2-0 down to snatch a 6-6 result with 2018 World Champion Rob Cross despite his early fury. He said: “I wasn’t happy, I didn’t settle at all in the first half of the match. “I was annoyed getting stuff thrown over me on the walk-on, my back was soaked. At least they didn’t get my hair! “It unsettled me a bit and it took me longer to get going. I had to get on with it and got the draw so happy days.”
James Wade admitted he needed a “kick up the backside” to KO Raymond van Barneveld 7-4 in a cracking opening clash. The Machine admitted: “It’s massive to win early. It’s important to get points on the board and evolve from there into a big snowball. “It’s also a big relief just to get some points on the board. I’m happy and I’m looking forward to the rest of the Premier League. “I felt I responded well to Raymond breaking my throw. It was the kick up the backside that I needed really. “The crowd were brilliant and so was the atmosphere. But it’s just quite flat in the practice room. The characters have gone and that’s strange. I miss the likes of Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson. “All the players now have got their headphones in, focused and there’s no banter. It was boring and flat in the practice room. “The only person I can wind up and have some banter with was Michael van Gerwen. For me it was one of the saddest days of darts. “Anyway I’m happy to win and go to Glasgow week on a high. I love coming up to Scotland, there’s no hiding place so it’ll be great.” It was some start as Wade kicked off the new season with a 180 in the opening three darts. In a high class opening leg, The Machine hits two maximums and RVB one. But Wade took it with tops for first blood. These old sloggers didn’t miss a beat for the opening six legs before the Dutchman finally broke throw to move 4-3 in front. But RVB missed a big chance to increase the lead and Wade nipped in to steal it and break back for 4-4. Then it was all Wadey with a performance of huge class, taking the victory with a 99 average and a winning checkout of 124 with bullseye.
By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)