Peter Wright defeats Michael Smith in grueling final to win 2022 world darts title | Local News

That wasn’t how darts are meant to be. Darts are meant to be loud fans slamming 180s, singing skyward as extra crates and puffy fists fly back and forth across the stage.

Instead, it was an attritional and nervous sight. A real chore that unfolds under the weight of an occasion that, just as well, any sports fan still couldn’t take their eyes off of.

The game started almost acrimoniously as Wright missed 13 doubles and Smith nearly as many before checking the double-one in the second leg. The 28 dart tally makes it technically the worst stage of the entire tournament.

Nerves in the first set were plentiful as Wright crawled over the line and improved little in the second when Smith missed three doubles for a huge break to come back two legs.

‘Snakebite’ responded with 148 and 124 starts to lead 2-0 before Smith finally stepped in and knocked out the mile for 167 as he won the third set.

Coming to three sets apiece, serial bridesmaid Smith displayed the kind of resilience that helped her defeat defending champion Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals and fend off a James Wade comeback in the semifinals. Sunday.

As ‘Bully Boy’ rushed to win the seventh set and ultimately take the lead, he was riding the wave of five straight legs.

Wright didn’t feel Ally Pally’s groove like two years ago when he claimed his first world crown against Michael van Gerwen. Switching between darts, the Scotsman earned a set victory that leveled him up while staying at his best.

Down to 180, average and percentage of doubles withdrawn, his odd ability to hit the right dart at the right time seemed to have given him the edge in a ninth set that once again saw the fireworks retreat to profit. of a fierce battle that looked as if the two men were physically carrying the large silver trophy, sitting enticingly to their right, on their backs.