Wright marks return from surgery with victory over Van den Bergh to seal first European Tour title since 2017 at German Darts Open

Peter Wright has ended a five year wait for his latest title on the European Tour as he marks his return from gallstones surgery with victory at the German Darts Open in Jena.

It was an 8-6 win for Wright against Dimitri van den Bergh in the final who claims his first since his run in 2017 where he sealed five in a year including the German Darts Open which he wins for a second time.

A match which was highly discussed beforehand due to comments made by Van den Bergh recently following an incident at the World Matchplay, there was no needle on stage but an embrace at the end as 'Snakebite' delighted the German crowd with victory.

Van den Bergh sealed the opening leg on double 18 in a solid hold. Wright replied with a 120 checkout with Van den Bergh sat on 107 looking to break.

Both continued to hold with Wright hitting a 160 to make it 2-2. Wright broke though pinning bull first time on the bull for a 10-darter to make it 3-2. Van den Bergh replied with two double eights on 44 to break back at 3-3.

A 135 left 66 for Van den Bergh as he looked to hold with Wright leaving double eight in case he returned which he didn’t after a last dart double 16 which made it 4-3 to the Belgian.

Wright missed double 19 for a 118 checkout and this allowed Van den Bergh to break again at 5-3. Van den Bergh missed one dart to consolidate though and Wright replied on double nine to trail 5-4.

Van den Bergh missed 161 on the bull to reply and break again and Wright levelled on double eight with a 76 checkout. Pinning double 16, Wright broke again and he was throwing to go one away.

A 180 from Van den Bergh and a 92 checkout though saw him level up and he was suddenly throwing to go one away. But another poor leg from Van den Bergh saw Wright swing the pendulum in his favour again at 7-6. A 180 from Wright and double 12 saw ‘Snakebite’ seal it.