Peter Wright declared his performance ‘rubbish’ but still secured a 3-1 win over Wesley Plaisier to book a spot in the third round of the World Darts Championship.
The two-time world champion arrived at Alexandra Palace after a really poor year in major tournaments and having dropped out of the top 16 in the Order of Merit.
At 54 years old, falling at the first hurdle at Ally Pally would have raised questions about his future at the top level of darts, but Wright just about found the answers on Tuesday night.
Snakebite finished with an average of just 89.63 and rode his luck a little, but got the better of the Dutchman who spurned crucial darts to win the second set and had chances to win the fourth.
Wright admitted he was feeling the nerves before the match and will not be too worried how he did it, just that he has managed to book a third round meeting with Jermaine Wattimena after Christmas.
‘It was this crowd that got me through. They wanted me to win. I thank you all, it’s these guys that got me through,’ Wright said on stage.
‘It would have been three yeas on the trot losing in the second seed game, which is not nice [Wright lost in the third round in 2023 and second last year]. Wesley had his chances but he missed them I took them.
‘I played rubbish, but all I heard was these guys getting behind me. I didn’t want to let them down, I didn’t wan to let my family down.’
Wattimena was impressive in beating James Wade 3-0 and set up the meeting with Wright, but Snakebite hopes his form evaporates over Christmas dinner.
‘I’m looking forward to playing Jermaine,’ he said. ‘It’s nice to see Jermaine playing some nice darts now.
‘Class is permanent, form is temporary. Hopefully he loses it after his roast on Christmas Day and he turns out rubbish like I just did there.’
Earlier in the evening Fallon Sherrock was beaten 3-2 by Ryan Meikle who will go on to play Luke Littler in the second round.
Sherrock took the first set and forced a decider after falling behind but The Barber prevailed and earned himself a meeting with the tournament favourite and newly crowned BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.
That match comes on Saturday, with Littler in attendance at the Sports Personality of the Year awards as he won the age-range category and came second behind Keely Hodgkinson in the main event.
He posted on X: ‘First SPOTY✅ and taking home 2 trophies🙏🏼 huge honour for me to win young sports personality of the year and finish 2nd for sports personality.
‘Support this year has been amazing and want to say thank you to everyone who voted and sent messages.’
Meikle was aware that he has been drawn against two of the biggest names in the sport, but is taking it in his stride.
‘You probably couldn’t wish for a better two players for social media and stuff,’ he said. I was everywhere. I’ve never had so much media attention in my life. It wasn’t because of who I am it’s because I’ve got to play potentially.
‘I know how good Fallon is, I know how good Luke is. I just had my head on for tonight and I’m so happy to get through. On to Saturday.’
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