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.

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Ryan Searle sunk this 112 checkout to knock out Peter Wright but he must first find a hotel to stay in Blackpool!

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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Searle took advantage of Wright’s missed darts by nailing this 107 checkout to storm into an 8-4 lead

He told Sky Sports: “That’s unbelievable really. That was such a scrappy game and we were both giving each other chances and in the end I was lucky enough to take mine.

“I didn’t expect an easy game but he’s not been in the best form. You just never know when he’s going to turn the switch and turn it around. I was quite nervy at the end but just happy to get over the line.”

Peter struggled from start to finish, even though he was in the match. I thought he did well to win eight legs to be fair. Searle was getting more darts than him and he was outscoring him. Searle regressed to his yearly means and it was more than good enough to beat Peter Wright. Anyone can win it and I really believe that.

Wayne Mardle on Ryan Searle’s stunning win

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.

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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

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.

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.

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

Speaking about facing Clayton in the last eight, Searle said: “I’ve got a job on my hands and I’m going to have to try and book a hotel now because I’m meant to be leaving on Friday.”

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.