Peter Wright has dethroned Luke Humphries at Ally Pally – proving endless doubters wrong and extinguishing a fiery feud.
Two-time world champion Snakebite entered this renewal of the PDC World Darts Championship a relative non-event. Having endured a year of sub-par averages and a rock-bottom Premier League finish, many expected the star to be dimmed by opening opponent Wesley Plaisier.
However, a remontada for the ages has seen the chest-infection-plagued 54-year-old cruise to the quarter-finals past in-form thrower Jermaine Wattimena and now former world champ Humphries – who has had a lot to say about the man who sent him packing. Both Wright and Humphries began their war of words back in the summer, as Record Sport takes a look at the now quelled rivalry.
Cool Hand’s shoulders
The unpleasantries between the two-time world champion and PDC No. 1 began at the World Cup of Darts in Germany earlier this year. Wright and Scottish partner Gary Anderson faced off against tournament favourites England in the semi-finals, with some added tensions due to Wright’s pre-match jibe.
After their rivals progressed past Northern Ireland to set up a much-awaited clash, Wright caught the attention of both Humphries and his ex-world champion doubles peer Michael Smith backstage, slyly exclaiming, “How’re your shoulders, Luke?” – suggesting that it was the 29-year-old who was ‘carrying’ England’s efforts.
Yet, on the back of Scotland’s 8-4 loss, Smith couldn’t help but relive the incident post-match, telling reporters: “We won the quarters, and Peter Wright walked past, asking Luke how his shoulders were. The guy has just averaged 78, and he’s trying to give me s***.
“Then we had an argument, not an argument, but he was trying to give me a bit of banter backstage. Peter, you’re not good enough, mate.”
Egg on Snakebite’s face?
Humphries would have his own say on Snakebite’s dark arts when he began his Ally Pally defence earlier this month, reinvigorating their butting of heads.
Speaking before clashing with Wright on the oche, Humphries addressed the Scottish representative’s mind games, alluding to a comment made by his opponent suggesting he’d happily take on Cool Hand and phenom Luke Littler.
“Peter’s had a lot to say over the last couple of weeks, where he says that he doesn’t fear me and Luke Littler. He says he’s going to smash us.
“So, yeah, all the pressure’s on him now because if he doesn’t, then the egg is on his face, not mine. I’m really, really relaxed, and if he doesn’t beat us, then it’s going to look silly on him, not me.
“I think Peter loves to play the mind games, but it doesn’t work with me. I’m one world title away from almost matching his career, and I’m about 25 years younger.”
A new leaf turned
Yet, through all of Humphries’ rebuttal and fighting talk, it was a shrewd doubling performance and stellar scoring that saw Wright overcome his adversary.
Coming away a comfortable 4-1 victor, Snakebite showed off that no love was lost between himself and world No. 1 Cool Hand, hugging it out on stage in an emotional embrace.
The pair were all class after the fact, too, with Humphries admitting: “Peter played fantastically and backed up what he said pre-match, so fair play to him.
“I probably put too much pressure on myself, but I thought I played okay. I’m still the World No.1, and this result won’t deter me from going on to win more.”
Wright mirrored the admiration shared between the duo – who have put their feud to bed for the time being – telling Sky Sports: “I’m lucky I wasn’t playing the Luke Humphries of last year because he was absolutely awesome.”