Despite Smith going into this one having won 19 of his last 20 matches it was Snakebite who raced into an early lead, picking up each of the first four legs. A lapse in concentration from Wright, missing the big 7, saw him only get a single dart at double for a 5-0 lead, one which couldn't take leaving Smith to mop up and get on the board. Nevertheless, Bully Boy would enter the first break trailing 4-1.
A 12-dart break of throw finished on 99 would restore Wright's 4-leg lead after the break. The new world champion isn't a man to lie down however and Smith came roaring back, reeling off the next four legs to end the second session back on level terms at 5-5.
A flurry of breaks of throw to begin the third session came to an end with Wright the one to hold throw and gain the advantage. The 2022 World Champion would finish the session with a 9-6 lead over Smith and just two legs away from victory after a third successive 4-1 session.
Smith would pick up the first leg after the break, pulling one leg back. Missing a number of darts to get another back, Wright would capitalise and move to one away from the match. Two darts at double top for a place in the final would come and go in the 18th leg but it would turn out to be nothing more than a consolation for Smith with Wright nailing double 8 to end the Bully Boy's winning run and book his place in the final versus Gerwyn Price.
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He contributes to DartsNews.com, where he covers professional darts through news, match reports, analysis, and live coverage across the PDC calendar and major tournaments.
A key part of his work is on-site reporting from leading events. Kieran has covered the PDC World Darts Championship in person, reporting daily from the venue and providing first-hand insight from the tournament. During his coverage, he has conducted interviews with leading players including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
He is also one of the leading voices of the English-language Dartsnews Podcast, contributing regular analysis and discussion on developments across the professional darts circuit.
In his reporting, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles when new, verified information becomes available.
WRIGHT SINKS SMITH! 🐍
Peter Wright is through to the Nordic Darts Masters final!
After dumping out Michael van Gerwen in the last eight, Wright produces a clinical display to seal an 11-8 win over World Champion Michael Smith!
📺 bit.ly/NordicDarts | SF