Wright Vows to Stop "Letting off" MVG
Gary Anderson almost quit the Premier League a week but beat the boos to beat Gerwyn Price. The Flying Scotsman produced a performance oozing with class to defeat the Welshman 7-3 in Cardiff. Majestic Ando was given a hostile reception but soon silenced the home support at Price with a succession of clinical finishes. The Scot was said to have contemplated pulling out of the league with back problems a week ago but said: “It’s getting there just a lack of practice now. I had a good three hours tonight on the board which made a difference. I’ve changed my darts and I think I’ll stick to these. “My back is improving. I got back last week on Friday morning and was supposed to go to Manchester but instead went to docs at home. “All Monday and Tuesday I was at the osteopath but I’m improving all the time. They said something about exercising, don’t know what that word means! “I’ve got to do a lot of stretching and daft moves. But now my biggest problem is just a lack of practice. “Some were OK tonight and some were right wild ones. Where I was looking they were not going. But I’m happy, it was better than last week.”
Michael Smith admits he’s fed up with being second best as he produced a fine win over Daryl Gurney. Bully Boy went joint top of the Premier League with a classy 7-4 win over Superchin in Cardiff. Smith admitted: “I’m happy with that one, last week I couldn’t celebrate beating Gary Anderson but tonight that was two points that meant a lot. “Last week it was a struggle but I’m over the moon with that one. “I’m fed up with being second best or last best I want to be the best. I’ve got two kids now and I’m getting married next year and I’ve got to keep winning to pay for the wedding. “I have to do as much as I can. I’m only young once so when I started getting old and it disappears, I’ve got to do everything I can while I’m young. “I missed three darts to go 4-1 up and I thought that might cost me and then missed two darts at tops but he missed three again. “I could have won it a lot easier but also could have lost it. To get over that winning line with 64 and last dart means I’m over the moon. “Last time I was here it took me five weeks to get a point and now I’m on four points after just two weeks. I’m top of the league at the moment! “I’ll take that, top four is the aim and the finals night is what I’m aiming for.” Smith came roaring out the traps to go 3-0 in front with a devastating hat-trick of finishing. He hit 70, 124 and 72 in succession to leave Gurney reeling. But Superchin kept his cool and dragged himself back into the match, pouncing on Smith’s three chances to in leg five to reduce the deficit to 3-2. It was then all level after Gurney hit double 10 and after swapping legs again Bully Boy hit tops to go 5-4 in front. Gurney’s hopes then appeared to nosedive as he blew three darts at double 16 while Smith sunk tops with his last dart to go 6-4 up. Then Smith produced another clinical finish with 64 and double four to wrap up his second successive win in the Premier League.
World Champion Rob Cross sank to his SIXTH successive loss with a 7-1 defeat at the hands of Simon Whitlock. The Wizard of Oz said: “I feel fantastic, it wasn’t a great game but I got the job done. “I think Rob’s got a bit of a hangover from winning the Worlds, he’s under a lot of pressure but I feel a bit bad for him but I’ve got to do my job! “He’s a class player, he’ll bounce back but luckily it’s not against me. “First job is to avoid elimination then make the play-offs. I’m looking forward to it.”