Defending champion Wright edges past Van Barneveld to reach Melbourne Darts Masters semi-finals

Wright missed match darts before getting over the line and had a nervy end to proceedings with Van Barneveld cutting the gap to 7-6 but it ended up 8-6 to 'Snakebite' in the end as he remains on course to defend his title.

Van Barneveld had a fine start to proceedings as he produced a 106 checkout to take the opening leg and he held on to his lead going 2-1 up and looking good in the process.

Wright though fired in a 130 checkout to dispel that at least for the moment at 2-2 but Barney regained the momentum smashing in an 82 checkout to continue his fine finishing stats on the Melbourne stage.

Both players jostled for position and it ended up seven legs all with throw and this continued with Wright taking out 104 to make it 4-4 and Barney holding at 5-4 up.

A break finally occurred though with Wright gaining it with Barney's finishing falling away ever so slightly. He went one away from there but like alluded to Van Barneveld came back to give Wright something to think about but he concluded the job to move through.

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Peter Wright (94.91) 8-6 (94.4) Raymond van Barneveld
10:15 Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson
10:50 Rob Cross v Damon Heta
12:30 Daryl Gurney v Simon Whitlock

Peter Wright v Van Gerwen/Anderson

Cross/Heta vs Gurney/Whitlock

Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2

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