Peter Wright has won his second PDC world title, prevailing 7-5 against Michael Smith in a captivating final at Alexandra Palace on Monday night.
In a back-and-forth showdown, the pair traded 41 180s, but when facing a 5-4 deficit and trailing 2-0 in the 10th set, Wright reeled off nine of the final 10 legs to become world champion for the second time in three years in style.
The opener featured a mixed bag from both players, the second leg being won by Smith in 28 darts, but Wright held his nerve at the right moments to take an early lead.
That continued in the second with Smith missing chances to win two legs, but checkouts of 148 and 124 from Wright saw him secure a second successive set by a 3-1 scoreline.
Smith got on the board in the third, a 167 checkout acting as the catalyst for the St Helens thrower to take it 3-1 with a 113.33 average.
The fourth was every bit as entertaining as the players shared seven 180s between them, but it was Smith who edged it 3-2 to get back on level terms after Wright had missed two darts in the decider.
Wright restored his advantage in the fifth, the set again being decided in a final leg, although the lead did not last long as Smith comfortably levelled matters in the sixth.
It was a similar story in the seventh, Smith reeling off three successive legs at an average of 107.36 as Wright produced his worst set of the contest.
Although Wright was not much better in the eighth, the Scot did enough to take it 3-1 with a 93 average, repelling a further four 180s from Smith which took his tally for the match to 20.
Wright should have won the ninth, particularly in the decider when he had six set darts, but they all went begging before Smith took out double 13 for a 5-4 lead.
Smith had seemed in cruise control in the 10th set having opened up a 2-0 advantage, although it did not last as Wright capitalised on several poor visits from his opponent to snatch it and level the contest at 5-5.
Wright was rejuvenated and he was able to produce his best set of the match to put him on the brink of victory, averaging 112.73 without reply.
Smith was at the point of no return and although he stopped the rot at eight legs in a row, Wright remained relentless, sealing victory with a 13-darter and ending the match with a 98.34 average.
Darren Plant
