Wright wins Players Championship Finals in thrilling decider win over Searle

Monday, 29 November 2021 at 07:26

Peter Wright has won the Players Championship Finals for the first time in his career with a thrilling deciding leg win over Ryan Searle who lost out narrowly in his maiden PDC major final.

Wright won 11-10 and showed supreme bottle to pin 62 with Searle waiting to pounce for the win in a game dominated by holds of throw with 'Snakebite' winning the bull proving vital.

It is back-to-back TV finals for Wright after a lull period following his World Matchplay win in a title which could have seen him as new World Number One had he not lost to Gerwyn Price in Wolverhampton.

But alas, he will head into the PDC World Darts Championship full of confidence after adding the title in Minehead to his Ally Pally triumph, World Matchplay, European Championship, UK Open and The Masters.

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Wright found the target early surging to an early hold after a 180. Searle missed the bull for a 121 but returned twice with Wright missing opportunities to break and it was 1-1.

Back-to-back 180's saw Wright on for a nine-dart finish but he couldn't get the seventh dart only to return for a ten darter to make it 2-1.

Wright was in the mood but Searle got lucky again on double four for parity after missed break opportunities once more.

Searle couldn't get a shot at 143 and Wright hit double 12 for a 3-2 lead at the first interval.

On return, Searle continued to miss darts at doubles in a chance to break and Wright regained the lead at 4-3.

'Heavy Metal' hit back for 4-4 to hold throw as there was nothing to split the duo after eight legs. This continued as Wright nudged ahead once more at 5-4.

A 76 checkout saw them locked in again at 5-5 at the next interval. Searle claimed the first break of throw of the match to lead 6-5 but was pegged back immediately with Wright going onto lead 7-6.

Wright produced a terrific 141 checkout to go two clear for the first time at 8-6 up before Searle claimed an 87 checkout to pounce on three missed doubles from Wright to make it 8-7 with darts to force parity after the interval.

Searle returned after the break to level at 8-8 on double one. Wright missed double 20 for a 151 checkout but returned for double 10 for a 9-8 lead.

Searle missed opportunities to hold and Wright produced a pivotal break to go one away at 10-8.

'Snakebite' busted 129 for the match and Searle was on 103 waiting for the second shot at it which he took after Wright missed double six at a second attempt.

He missed 121 to take it all the way leaving Wright needing 132 for the win which he missed by the width of a wire.

Searle couldn't get down to a finish and only pressured with a 177 leaving himself on 24 with Wright on 62 which he pinned last dart in hand for the title.

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𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡! 🏆 Peter Wright wins the 2021 @Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals, beating Ryan Searle 11-10 in the final. What an incredible match that was as Wright holds his nerve to clinch the title!