World Matchplay Darts: World No 2 Peter Wright suffers shock exit to Ryan Searle in Blackpool

Peter Wright joins MVG, Michael Smith and Gerwyn Price out of the tournament I We’re back for more World Matchplay on Thursday at the iconic Winter Gardens as 32 of the world’s top stars battle it out for the Phil Taylor Trophy – live on Sky Sports Action

World No 2 Peter Wright became the latest high-profile name to exit this year’s World Matchplay in Blackpool after suffering a shock defeat to Ryan Searle on Wednesday.

The 2021 champion, who has flown under the radar ahead of this year’s tournament, has endured a difficult period on the board and it continued with an 11-8 defeat to ‘Heavy Metal’ Searle at the Winter Gardens.

Wright joined reigning champion Michael van Gerwen, world No 1 Michael Smith and last year’s runner-up Gerwyn Price in crashing out of the tournament.

Somerset star Searle, who had never won a game at the Matchplay and not beaten Wright on TV, opened up a 63 lead before sinking a 107 checkout to move 8-4 up.

Searle then pinned a magnificent 112 to guarantee a new name on the Phil Taylor Trophy this year.

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Clayton stepped up to reel in the Big Fish after being on the verge of being broken by Van den Bergh

Searle will take on seventh seed Jonny Clayton who bossed 2020 winner Dimitri Van den Bergh for an emphatic 11-6 victory as ‘The Ferret’ reeled in the Big Fish for a 3-1 lead before winning seven of the next nine legs to storm into the quarter-finals.

At 4-4, the Welshman took out a 13 and 14 darter en route to an 8-4 advantage before landing a scintillating 156 for a 9-5 lead.

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The Welshman knew he had to play well to beat Van den Bergh

The 48-year-old former Premier League and World Grand Prix champion struck with a 126 in a brilliant 12-dart leg to move one away from victory and he soon wrapped things up by pinning double eight.

In the evening’s curtain-raiser Brendan Dolan was unable to continue his giant-killing run having dumped out defending champion Michael van Gerwen on Sunday night.

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Heta was up to his old tricks, bowling a cricket ball on the stage during his walk-on, then after blowing away Brendan Dolan 11-1 he declared that Australia have already sewn up the Ashes!

The Northern Irishman was on the receiving end of an 11-1 tonking from Australian No 1 Damon Heta, who continued sporting a baggy green cap and his cricket bat for his Ashes-inspired walk-on at the Empress Ballroom.

In the final match of the night, Luke Humphries and last remaining Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode collide in an explosive last-16 clash, in a repeat of July’s European Darts Matchplay decider.

We’re back for more World Matchplay action at the iconic Winter Gardens on Thursday at 7pm as the world’s top stars battle it out for the Phil Taylor Trophy – live on Sky Sports Action.