2022 would see the end of Covid – or at least its restrictions – and who better to kick the party off, and put things ‘Wright Again’, than the Champion of the last unaffected Ally Pally jamboree. Here’s how DW summed it up:
For Darts fans, Christmas means just one thing. The amusing sight of Batman giving Robin a piggyback up Muswell Hill, bananas in pyjamas clambering out of taxis and lager swilling Teletubbies.
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Once again, the Alexandra Palace was bathed with fans dressed in colourful costumes, wildly exhibiting exuberance and buoyancy as they returned in force to the 2022 PDC William Hill World Championships.
With crowd restrictions lifted and the party atmosphere restored, it was the flamboyant and magnificent Peter Wright who claimed the second World Championship title of his illustrious career. Snakebite was undoubtably the player of the tournament and proudly takes his place alongside the legendary Jocky Wilson and Gary Anderson as only the third Scot to win two World titles.
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Wright, 51, certainly didn’t have it all his own way in the final. But for a scintillating comeback against the naturally gifted Michael Smith, the trophy would have gone to the St Helens man. Trailing 5-4 in sets and 2-0 in legs to an inspired Bullyboy who was performing wondrously, the Scot produced a dazzling spell of tungsten brilliance.
It was a Wright master-class as he soared to victory from the jaws of defeat, dropping just one further leg and leaving his opponent in tears on the stage. For Smith, it was heartbreaking as he once again watched his boyhood dream shattered in front of his very eyes. However, this is a new resurgent and mentally reinvigorated version of Michael Smith who is surely destined to one day become a World Champion.
Covid’s Influence Continues At Darts’ Biggest Event
Sadly the tournament was also shrouded with the COVID curse. With the worry of the dreaded double red stripe hanging over the players heads like an axe, each game day was an anxious one. First to fall victim of the virus was Vincent van Der Voort, forced to pull out of the event giving his opponent James Wade safe passage through to the next round.
Then the world was stunned when news of Michael van Gerwen returning a positive test reverberated across planet darts. When the same fate hit Dave Chisnall the following day, it was feared more dominoes could fall. Mercifully, he was the last but the tournament had lost three excellent players too many. Reigning World Champion Gerwyn Price was looking to become the first Welshman to retain the crown.
But in an absorbing quarter-final match against Michael Smith, Bullyboy melted the Iceman. It wasn’t the first Red Dragon that he’d slayed. In another captivating classic, Smith and Jonny Clayton served up an absolute treat in their last sixteen tie before the St Helens man got over the line to set up his match with Price.
The Ally Pally crowd were also treated to a record breaking THREE nine darters. Young Scot Willie Borland made history by becoming the first player in a World Championship to win a match with the perfect leg at the end of his enthralling match against Bradley Brooks.
Darius Labanauskas and Gerywn Price also achieved the rare feat to send the audience into raptures. Australia’s Raymond Smith and son Ty had already rewritten the record books as they became the first father and son duo to compete at the same PDC World Championships.
Both players had taken their nation’s allocated pair of qualifying spots but neither was expected to go deep in the tournament. However, no one had passed Raymond that script and he overcame Jamie Hughes, Devon Petersen and Florian Hempel to write his own fairytale. Eventually, it was the wily Mervyn King who put an end to the Brisbane man’s dreams in the last sixteen but only just.
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Match of the tournament certainly wasn’t short contenders. Rob Cross and Daryl Gurney served up a treat for their round three clash with Voltage prevailing in a last set decider. But for many, the semi-final all Scottish battle was a huge favourite.
Gary Anderson and Peter Wright stood toe to toe on the oche and battered one another like two tartan heavyweights slugging it out in a boxing ring. With astronomical averages and a world record breaking twenty-four maximums from the mohawked magician, it was a contest for the ages between two old foes, compatriots and close friends.
But the night and the tournament certainly belonged to Peter Wright who cherished the crowing moment on stage alongside proud wife Jo. Well …. he did predict it!
Images: PDC
Words: Paul Woodage
Originally published in Dart World 578 (New Season 2022) with additional editing for context.
Magazine Pages/Graphics: Darts World Ltd
