Nine-dart hero Peter seals title

Peter Wright followed up the first nine-dart finish of his career to lift the Players Championship 7 title, as he overcame James Wade 6-5 in a thrilling final in Coventry.

The day had already seen the Mendham-based ace etch his name into the record books with a perfect leg during his win over Justin Pipe, while he also defeated Nigel Heydon, John Part, Mark Barilli, Jamie Lewis — from 4-1 down — and Christian Kist on his way to the final.

‘Snakebite’ then averaged an impressive 110.14 in a stunning performance to take the £10,000 first prize and pick up his fifth career title, hitting eight maximums.

“It’s a special day for me,” said Wright, who had lost out to Wade in the final of a Players Championship in Barnsley recently.

“Obviously I was disappointed to drop out of the Premier League, so to hit a nine-darter and win the tournament means a lot to me.

“I’ve been working hard in practice so I’m pretty happy.

“I wired the double 12 for a nine-darter recently in Barnsley and I’ve had one in practice too, but to do it in competition means a lot.

“James beat me 6-5 in a Players Championship final in March and he was becoming a bit of a bogey player for me — and after the first two legs in the final I thought that again.

“He’s playing brilliant darts at the moment and, so for me to nick that one is great.”

The latest success follows on from Wright winning the Shetland Masters title in his native Scotland last month.