Joining Luke Littler and Luke Humphries,
Peter Wright and
Damon Heta are also through to the semi-finals at the 2024
New Zealand Darts Masters in Hamilton.
After his win in Australia last week,
Gerwyn Price is full of confidence at the moment and the Welshman started well here with a strong hold in leg 1. Peter Wright though, has seen his own confidence levels returning of late and the Scot reeled off the next two legs, before
narrowly missing double 12 for a nine-darter in leg 4. Returning to mop up the 24 however, 'Snakebite' did move 3-1 clear.
Although Price was averaging just 82, the Welshman was battling hard to stay in contact and remained just a break of throw behind and 3-4 down after Wright missed three clear darts at double 18. A few moment later, Price missed a dart at the bullseye to send the tie into a deciding leg however, and Wright, sensing his opportunity pinned a brilliant 127 checkout for the match and a place in the semi-finals.
In the final quarter-final tie, defending New Zealand Darts Masters champion
Rob Cross took on Australian number one, Damon Heta. Also both players started somewhat slowly, they returned holds of throw in the early stages. The first break of throw though, came in Heta's favour in leg 4 with the moustachioed Aussie moving 3-1 clear as a result.
Reeling off the next two legs himself however, Cross quickly restored order in the match and got back to level terms at 3-3. With a brilliant 121 finished off on double 16, Heta grasped the momentum back in leg 7. Cross levelled again in leg 8 and then threatened to break in leg 9, only for Heta to pull off another ton-plus checkout to move just one leg from the win. With 'Voltage' forcing a decider though, an 11th and final leg was needed to find a winner. Heta had the darts and courtesy of a maximum, was first to a finish and pinning double 16 for a 13-darter, Heta secured the win.