Peter Wright was in the mood on Friday and that translated into a near flawless display on the stage. He eased through the first three rounds, losing a mere four legs in the process. The Scotsman then edged past Steve West in the Last 16 with a 6-5 victory, in what proved to be his toughest opponent on the day.
Wright came up against an in-form Steve Lennon in the quarter final, but a 108.3 average secured Snakebite a place in the last four. Joe Cullen, another man brimming with confidence, stood in Wright’s way of the final, but a convincing 7-2 victory set up a tasty decider with the Iceman.
Racing into a 5-1 lead, Wright looked calm, composed and ultimately, the better player in the final. The Welshman hit back with a 12-darter to ramp up the pressure somewhat, but Snakebite eliminated a possible comeback by winning three of the next four legs, securing victory in excellent fashion.
To add more glory to the 51-year-old’s performance, going into the match, Price had won his last seven finals, highlighting how difficult the world champion has been to beat on any stage in recent months.
Finding Form Just Before Premier League Commencement
Perhaps more relieved than anything, Wright finally grabbed some much-needed silverware at the last possible opportunity before next month’s Premier League. In the previous seven days of Super Series action, Wright failed to progress any further than the Last 16. To add to his recent misery, he was also beaten in the first round of the UK Open in early March, albeit he came across a high-flying Dave Chisnall.
Wright did show glimpses of promise in the Masters in January, but was eventually edged out by Jonny Clayton in a thriller. The Scotsman will have a chance to avenge his semi-final defeat to Clayton in just two weeks, when the pair face off on the opening night of the Premier League.
The Ferret grabbed the 10th and final place in this year’s competition after winning his Masters title and is arguably the most in-form player in world darts right now. Clayton will also be in pursuit of proving himself worthy of inclusion on April 5, following a sub-par performance and result when called upon as a challenger last year. Clayton appeared when the Premier League visited Cardiff and played Michael Smith who was in devastating form, beating the Welshman 7-1.
Wright is yet to win a Premier League title and that is something that is probably next on the priority list. As well as the financial rewards that come with victory at the Premier League, some deem it as the most prestigious competition in world darts. To end up victorious, players have to consistently shine against the sport’s elite, with every little slip-up usually punished.
Wright Claims Second Place in PDC Order of Merit
One key talking point from PDC Super Series 2 in Milton Keynes was that Michael van Gerwen was absent. The Dutchman chose to miss out the event to seemingly prepare for the Premier League, but it was a decision that Snakebite did not agree with whatsoever.
“He shouldn’t be on holiday, he should be here practicing… there’s too many good players around,” Wright said on PDVTV.
Wright went on to add that he believes that van Gerwen will not win a single televised tournament this year either.
After the week’s action in Milton Keynes, Wright has leapfrogged The Green Machine in the PDC Order of Merit to take a much-desirable second place in the rankings. It remains unseen whether van Gerwen’s break will prove vital, but with the Premier League more difficult to call than any other year in recent memory, it really is anybody’s tournament.