WRIGHT ADMITS HE FELT LIKE A “ZOMBIE”

By Phil Lanning

PETER WRIGHT revealed he felt like a ZOMBIE as he set up a blockbuster clash with world champ Luke Humphries. 

The Livingston-born ace takes on ‘Cool Hand’ in a spicy last 16 tie in the World Championship at the Ally Pally tonight (Sunday).

Snakebite, 54, defied a chest infection to beat Jermaine Wattimena but now has to try and end Humphries eight-match unbeaten run on the big stage.

There’s an extra feisty edge to the head-to-head after the defending champ revealed he had the Hump over Wright’s recent comments about not fearing him.

*Peter Wright is top price 11/2 with AK Bets to beat Luke Humphries, get on it here

On playing through the pain barrier, Wright said: “I feel like a zombie. The plan against Jermaine was to keep the match as short as possible. I was thinking when it was 3-2, I need to be breaking him here otherwise I’m in a lot of trouble.

“I was in the backroom coughing my guts up. Not bad for an old man. 

“I’ve had this for 10 days since I left the Ally Pally after my first match. So it’s everyone else’s fault that I’ve got this!

“Even though I’m ill I feel like I’ve got loads in the tank. If Luke is to beat me, he’ll have to play well. 

“Of course playing Luke Humphries will be fantastic. He’s World No1 and the reigning world champion. 

“My chances of going all the way? The same as everyone else. I’m through to the last 16. If I can keep playing like I did tonight, I’ve got a chance.”

There is renewed hope for Wright after he delivered his best performance at the Ally Pally since winning a second title on that stage in January 2022.

Snakey’s ten 180s against Wattimena was the most he had scored in a single match for over two years and 250 appearances. 

Yet he still faces an uphill task against Humphries who has won their last four clashes.

Wright’s world class performance against the big-hitting Dutchman was even more remarkable considering his chest infection. 

He added: “Knowing that Jermaine has been playing some good darts for the past couple of months. I knew it would be tough and I took each leg at a time.

“It was fantastic from the crowd, I really appreciated that. 

“I was trying not to cough on my throw. So I was holding my breath each time. Jermaine must have felt sorry for me. 

“I also didn’t want to put Jermaine off either and not cough as I walked past him. Somehow I got over the line. I think my finishing got me over the line. 

“Mentally I felt fantastic. It’s the least I’ve ever practised for a World Championship match!

“I didn’t even know I was going to use those darts. I just needed something to go straight and no effort. They worked. 

“So I got lucky. Jermaine didn’t play like he did over the last two games. But he’s on the way up and I’m on the way down.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.