Wright is All Bite on the Night
World Champion Peter Wright admits he was concerned about playing in the Unibet Premier League.
The Scottish star was in sensational form to dump Michael Smith 7-4 in front of 6,500 fans at the M&S Arena in Liverpool last night (Thurs).
But Snakebite revealed he was worried in the lead up to the clash after the PDC postponed the two nights in Rotterdam later this month due the Coronavirus crisis.
He said: “I think it’s very important everyone stays safe. I’m a dad and family man and it’s natural to be worried about this.
“Obviously we don’t know whether anyone in the crowd tonight has returned from Italy or has the virus. It was really sad we couldn’t do the normal walk-on with handshakes, high-fives or fist pumps. That interaction with the fans is part of the sport.
“But it’s just vital that we can come through this and they can find a cure.”
Wright, who turned 50 this week, celebrated in style with his third win in four weeks to soar up the table.
He added: “I think it’s a really level league this year, maybe the best ever. I think anyone can win it at this stage.
“I’ve been very up and down so far but I know I can play better and I will. I thought I had let Michael back in at one stage. I then said to myself no way I’m going to let that happen.”
After losing the opening leg, Wright crucially broke Smith in the third to go in front for the first time. A crisp tops, double eight and double 18 gave Snakey a comfort zone of 5-1 advantage.
Smith finally stopped the rot but only after Wright had missed a dart at a spectacular 156 checkout.
However the World Champion was on fire and another tops guaranteed a point until finally Bully Boy showed some fight to narrow the gap to 6-4.
But a clinical double 18 kill, for the second time, wrapped it up for Wright.
Glen Durrant beat Daryl Gurney 7-5 to stay top of the Premier League but admits he’s desperate that the sports keeps going.
He said: “I’m praying it goes ahead at Newcastle. There’s a Teesside army there and to play the World Champion there is a massive thing.
“It’s been a tough few days for a dart player, we’ve not been sure what’s going on. But the PDC are doing what they do best and making the right decisions.
“I was devastated when Rotterdam was called off when I was due to play Michael van Gerwen in that sea of orange. But the right decisions have to be made.”
By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)
Photography courtesy of Taylor Lanning (@taylanningpix)