Peter Wright coasts past Mickey Mansell to launch World Championship title defence

Peter Wright launched the defence of his World Darts Championship title with a routine straight sets defeat of Mickey Mansell on the opening night at Alexandra Palace.

Wright became the first player through to the Third Round as he opened his quest for a third World Championship crown in convincing fashion, while Nathan Rafferty and Grant Sampson advanced to Round Two with dream victories on their debuts.

Sporting one of his trademark Christmas outfits, Wright dropped just one leg against Mansell – who had defeated Ben Robb 3-1 in the opening game of the tournament.

Checkouts of 126 and 121 were the highlights of a modest display from Wright, who averaged 88 and will return to action after the Christmas break.

“Obviously I’m not happy with my performance but it’s a win, I’m happy and the defending champion is still in,” admitted Wright.

“I wanted Mickey to push me but I think fatigue set in for him and his darts weren’t reaching like they were in his first game when he played really well.

“It’s good to have my wife Jo back in the crowd cheering me on, she’s on the mend now which is a huge relief.

“I’ve got a few new sets of darts to try out between now and after the Christmas break!”

Wright will come up against either Kim Huybrechts or Sampson – who caused an upset on debut by defeating highly-rated Irish youngster Keane Barry 3-1.

On his first appearance in a televised event, South Africa’s Sampson took advantage of a surprisingly below-par display from Barry, recovering from 2-0 down to win the opening set 3-2, before landing a 125 checkout on his way to taking the second set by the same scoreline.

Barry rallied, taking the next set 3-1 to halve the deficit and took the opening leg of the fourth set as he looked to force a decider.

But Sampson held his nerve, winning three successive legs to claim the biggest win of his career.

“Back home we play in front of 30 people, so this is an incredible new experience for me,” said Sampson.

“I was very, very nervous as you could see; my darts weren’t going straight at all in the first two legs.

“I tried to focus but with everything going on around you it’s very difficult.

“I’m just happy to get the first round out of the way.”

Meanwhile, Rafferty battled to a 3-2 victory over Jermaine Wattimena to set up a second round tie with last year’s runner-up Michael Smith on Friday.

Rafferty twice took the lead in sets but on both occasions the Northern Irishman was pegged back by Wattimena.

In the third leg of the decider, Rafferty found his way through a seemingly blocked double four bed to move within a leg of the match.

That dart proved crucial, as the following leg saw the former World Youth Championship runner-up once again pin the double with his last dart in hand – this time double ten to book his place in the round two.

“I wasn’t nervous leading up to the tournament but when I came up the road I had butterflies in my stomach,” Rafferty revealed.

“It’s been my dream since I was 15 to be playing on this stage; it’s what we all play for.

“Considering I had my appendix removed a week ago today, I’m so happy to win this game against a tough opponent.

‘I’m looking forward to taking on Michael [Smith], he’s one of the best players in the world but I think I can give him a game if I play my proper stuff.”

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World Darts Championship 2022/23 Day One Results

Thursday December 15

Mickey Mansell 3-1 Ben Robb (R1)
Keane Barry 1-3 Grant Sampson (R1)
Jermaine Wattimena 2-3 Nathan Rafferty (R1)
Peter Wright 3-0 Mickey Mansell (R2)