TWO WRIGHT
By Phil Lanning
WORLD champ Peter Wright issued a warning to his rivals that he’s going to “get better” after taking his second successive TV title.
The Livingston ace returned to the spotlight in style after his Ally Pally triumph by adding the first major event of the new season Ladbrokes Masters in Milton Keynes last night.
Wright sank Michael Smith in the Final to secure the title and £60,000. But it was a nervy finale as Bully Boy missed three clear darts to win before losing the deciding leg and 11-10 as Snakebite snared the silverware.
Wright said: “I kept missing doubles and Michael kept punishing me by coming back and coming back. It felt like I was chasing him at one point of the match.
“But his is just the start of the year. Michael says he is going to get better, but I am going to get better.
“It’s not normal to win. It’s still very emotional because we work for this and I know what Michael is feeling like as I have lost in many Finals, but he’ll get back up and again, get stronger and win Finals soon.”
Wright had to dig deep in the Final having seen his quality soar him through the earlier rounds.
He dominated his Scotland World Cup winning partner Gary Anderson in the semi-finals to make his way into the clash with Smith after whitewashing Dave Chisnall in the last eight contest.
But, modestly, he said: “I was lucky all day, to be honest. Chizzy wasn’t feeling very well and Gary’s darts were going all over the pace. Michael should probably have won the Final.”
Smith was shattered as he said: “I haven’t shaken that much in my life over tops. I was just wishing it to go in and I’ll be practicing it for 12 hours over the next days.
“But it’s the first tournament of the year, it’s a good step.”
How do I return a top that’s to small
It was a great match. Was very happy for the Peter to win as I have watched him loose like Michael did. Felt bad for Michael as I did for Peter. To have a shot and miss it is painful. But then you just go forward. Love watching darts.