Wright wins 2021 World Matchplay with superb display to see off defending champion Van den Bergh

Peter Wright has added the World Matchplay to his resume with victory over the defending champion, Dimitri van den Bergh 18-9.

It was a 105.9 average for 'Snakebite' who like he has all tournament produced a stellar display with 10 180's and 58% on the doubles.

This adds a fourth major ranking title to go alongside the World Championship as well as the European Championship and UK Open as well as further TV titles in The Masters and the World Cup of Darts and after promising he would pre-tournament, he delivered with the Phil Taylor trophy.

Both players opened up the opening leg with a 180 but it was Wright who lead with a hold of throw.

Van den Bergh missed four darts in the requisite leg and Wright pounced on double 16 to double his lead early on and after a missed dart on the bull, Wright returned to make it 3-0.

At the interval, Van den Bergh got his first leg on the board but was sat at 1/10 on the doubles with Wright opening up a 4-1 lead.

On return, they exchanged 180's but Van den Bergh found double 16 to make it 4-2 to reduce the deficit.

A third maximum and double 16 for an 11-darter though saw Wright surge off again with a break into a 6-2 lead.

An 80 checkout saw him consolidate to make it 7-2 and make it a five leg cushion. Wright wasn't missing and his relentless streak continued as he broke again to go 8-2 up.

It was another 180 for Wright but he began missing doubles albeit he returned with Van den Bergh unable to ignite off a 134. It went to five missed for Wright who faltered on double five.

Van den Bergh as a result broke to make it 8-3 as he attempted to bring himself back into the tie. It was back-to-back as he held with a fourth 180 and 94 checkout to make it 8-4.

Van den Bergh couldn't get a dart from 113 to break again and Wright restored a five leg cushion with a clutch double 18 last dart to make it 9-4.

A 135 set up left 36 again for Wright who left Van den Bergh 170 which he couldn't get so it was a 10-4 lead and another break.

A huge 87 checkout on the bull kept Van den Bergh in it at the next interval at 10-5. A 96 checkout saw him consolidate the break on return to make it 10-6.

The five leg cushion though was restored with a seventh maximum followed by a 49 checkout to make it 11-6.

They exchanged 180's once more with both set on 84 but Van den Bergh held to make it 11-7. On 64 though, Wright smashed in 80 to make it 12-7.

Van den Bergh though continued to hold on double 13 to make it 12-8 but he was running out of time with the deficit at four. An 11-darter saw Wright five in front and five away from the finishing line at 13-8.

Van den Bergh was under pressure again with Wright sat on 62 and he missed double 12 for a 97 checkout handing 'Snakebite' the shot which he took on double 16 to make it 14-8 with the darts to go 15-8 up.

Van den Bergh went six darts into a nine-dart finish and composed to produce a 125 set up but he missed three darts for a break back.

He missed more allowing Wright back for a 60 checkout to go 15-8 up and three away.

For a second consecutive leg, Van den Bergh went six darts into a nine-darter and again he missed but this time couldn't set it up leaving 82.

Wright left 88 in case the Belgian couldn't produce and he couldn't allowing the former another break opportunity but he missed the bull. This brought Van den Bergh back but again he missed more darts allowing 'Snakebite' back for a 25 checkout and throwing to go one away.

An 84 checkout on the bull with Van den Bergh standing behind looking dejected saw Wright go in at 17-8 and one away.

A 130 set up left double eight meaning Van den Bergh had to hit 105 to save the match which he did to make it 17-9.

This gave Wright his first chance to serve it out and he missed 156 on double 18 for the title but returned for double nine pinning it first time for the title.