Wright battled back from 4-1 and 6-4 down to see off Damon Heta in a lukewarm reception for 'Snakebite' who received boos when throwing but it was a 10-8 triumph.
Heta began superbly taking out 100 to open up a 3-0 lead followed by going 4-1 up. His lead was slightly eroded but he smashed in a 164 checkout to lead 6-4 as he re-established his two leg cushion.
But Heta's level began to dip and parity was achieved by Wright at 6-6. The Aussie survived Wright missing the chance to go in front for the first time as Heta regained the lead at 7-6.
But the back and forth continued only for Heta to miss 82 to hold and Wright pinned 130 to lead for the first time at 8-7 in the race to ten.
A second 180 and an 81 checkout saw Wright go one away at 9-7. He was given a shot at 125 for the win which he missed and Heta was let off the hook at 9-8 to keep the match alive.
Wright missed three for the match on double 10 but returned to claim it with Heta frustrated as he couldn't force a shot at 126.
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While Ryan Searle got over the line against Rob Cross over on Stage Two with his first victory over 'Voltage' to reach the Quarter-Finals.
It was a 10-7 win which saw him pin double one to claim it. After riding his luck at times this weekend, could 'Heavy Metal' go all the way in an almost home tournament?
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𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗞𝗢𝘀 𝗛𝗘𝗧𝗔!
Peter Wright eventually gets over the line in defeating a frustrated Damon Heta 10-8!
Wright overcomes jeers from the crowd, a rarity for Snakebite!