Wright keeps cool to claim place in final

SCOTLAND’S Peter Wright came out on top in a grudge match against Gerwyn Price to leave himself one win from clinching the World Darts Championship title for the first time. There was no handshake between the pair after Wright’s 6-3 victory as two conflicting personalities clashed on the Alexandra Palace stage. Wright, whose best performance at this tournament was runner-up in 2014 when he lost 7-4 to Michael van Gerwen, took the opening set last night and attempted to have a joke with his opponent, only for the Welshman to ignore him. Price was more animated when he hit back in the second to level the match in sets, appearing to lunge forward aggressively when Wright tried to walk past him. Third seed Price, not the most popular on the circuit due to his on-stage antics, had a chance at 3-3. But Wright (right) emerged victorious, winning the next three sets. ‘I just focused. I concentrated,’ said the triumphant 49-year-old after claiming 16 180s and a 98.39 average to his rival’s 89.94. ‘I’ve got to play better than that to win this, and I think I will. ‘He (Price) said he was going to win the first two sets. I like him, but I didn’t appreciate what he did. ‘Sorry I was miserable up there but he wanted me to concentrate. I concentrated, he lost. ‘His average wasn’t that good. He was nowhere near me. It spurred me on.’ In a further dig at Price, Livingston-born Wright added: ‘He wound me up. Wind me up on the dart board. I’ll get you back. There you go.’ Wright lost to three-time winner Van Gerwen in the final five years ago but vowed to go one better this time round. ‘I’m not going to throw it away again,’ he promised. ‘I’ve matured. I believe I can hit anything I want.’