Daryl Gurney and Peter Wright progress to World Matchplay semi-finals in Blackpool
Northern Irishman Gurney wins thrilling contest to set up semi-final meeting with Wright
Friday 28 July 2017 08:01, UK
Daryl Gurney won a thrilling World Matchplay quarter-final on Thursday night to set up a meeting with Peter 'Snakebite' Wright in Blackpool.
Gurney beat Mensur Suljovic 16-13 to reach his first semi-final at the Winter Gardens, while UK Open champion and third seed Peter Wright defeated Darren Webster 16-12 after battling back late on to secure his spot.
No 7 seed Suljovic took advantage of some lacklustre arrows in the fifth leg from Gurney to break for a 3-2 lead. The Serbian-born Austrian held on to his advantage by going to his favourite double 14 for a slender 6-4 advantage at the end of the second session.
The 31-year-old from Derry had knocked out two-time World Champion Gary Anderson in the previous round and he came to the party by breaking back in the 12th leg before holding throw in the next leg with a quite stunning 146 checkout.
Gurney then cleaned up a simple 56 in two darts to move 8-7 up in a contest which was hotting up nicely.
There were three breaks in the next five legs with Suljovic the beneficiary in a tension-packed battle, but after falling 12-10 down, 'SuperChin' ramped up the pressure by winning three in a row to re-take the lead ahead of the final session.
Suljovic's scoring wavered under pressure while Gurney held his nerve to break throw in the 28th leg before keeping his cool in the next to take out double eight. He celebrated victory by falling to his knees on stage as he sealed an emotional win.
"I can't put it into words," said Gurney, who hit 13 maximums and was 50 per cent on his doubles. "I told myself to be patient and eventually the break came. I got in front and that's all I needed."
In the second quarter-final, Wright looked to be cruising from the opening leg, but he missed three darts for an early 3-0 lead and was punished as Norwich thrower Webster rattled off three quick-fire legs in a row to lead at the end of the first mini-session.
Despite averaging over 103, 'Snakebite' found himself trailing 8-6. He did strike back by clearing out 71 to reduce the deficit in what was turning into a see-saw battle by the seaside.
The Scotsman was finding it difficult to shrug off the 49-year-old known as 'Demolition Man', who rallied from 9-8 down to win the next three legs.
But Wright showed why he is the world No 3 by stamping his class over the match with six legs on the bounce to move 15-11 clear.
Despite stopping the rot, Webster was unable to mount a comeback, and Wright finished off 74 in two darts to complete the victory.
"I felt really comfortable but the darts weren't going," said Wright, who averaged 100.19 and was 41 per cent on the doubles.
And on his semi-final opponent, Wright added: "Daryl Gurney is playing fantastic. He doesn't care who he is playing in the world and he owns that stage at the moment. I will try and upset his apple cart. It's going to be a great match."
Watch all the action from the World Matchplay Darts at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool from 7pm on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action on Friday night, or watch for £6.99 without a contract on NOW TV. The arrows run right through until the final on Sunday, July 30.
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