Grand Slam of Darts 2020: Peter Wright knocked out by Devon Petersen

World champion Peter Wright crashed out of the Grand Slam of Darts and defending champion Gerwyn Price survived another scare as the group stages came to a close on Thursday.

Needing to win just three legs, Snakebite slipped to a 5-2 defeat against Devon Petersen, a win that allowed Ian White to sneak through on leg difference.

The other drama surrounded the two-time defending champion Price who has not lost at the Grand Slam since a group-stage defeat to Simon Whitlock in 2018. He came from 4-2 down to beat Ryan Joyce in a last-leg decider to keep his three-peat hopes alive.

Only Michael van Gerwen arrived on the final day of group stage assured of a place in the last 16 and he maintained a perfect record with a 5-3 win over Joe Cullen that gave Adam Hunt the most unlikely of second-round spots.

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Sorry Snakebite falls at first hurdle

An emotional Petersen set up a second-round showdown with fellow debutant Damon Heta, but more significantly ended Wright’s hopes of a first Grand Slam crown.

White had given himself hope by producing the second-highest average of the tournament to end World Grand Prix runner-up’s Dirk Van Duijvenbode’s hopes of another fairy-tale run on the televised stage.

White took out finishes of 132 and 120 and hit all five of his darts at a double in a 5-1 victory that put Petersen through before his match against Wright and left the world champion fighting to stay in the tournament.

Snakebite slipped 2-1 behind before the decisive fourth leg, where both men missed a host of darts at double before Petersen eventually pinned the outer ring after Wright’s ten missed darts for the leg to seize the initiative.

Trailing 4-2, Wright roused himself for one final push, but when he missed a dart at double 19 for a skin-saving 155, Petersen mopped up to advance and send the world champion crashing out.

Prices shows champion class to advance

Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton teamed up to win the World Cup for Wales a fortnight ago, and the pair came through Group H but only after a drama-filled contest between the Iceman and Ryan Joyce.

Clayton’s 5-0 win over Mikuru Suzuki effectively turned Joyce and Price into a decider as to who would join the Ferret and it was two-time defending champion Price who hauled himself back from the brink.

A thrilling contest against Joyce featured four huge 100+ finishes and both men averaging in excess of 105 for much of the match, but Price, who saw Suzuki miss four match defeat against him on opening night, produced his very best when trailing 4-2.

Needing two breaks of throw he hit back to claim the seventh leg and then punished Joyce’s missed dart at bullseye for the match to force a decider, which the Welshman claimed with a 14-dart break to top the group.

Clayton has set his sights on singles major glory after teaming up with Price to land his first major honour and ruthless finishing ensured a 5-0 win over Suzuki, the BDO women’s champion who lost all three games for the second successive year.

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Smith stays perfect as De Sousa debut continues

Michael Smith and Jose De Sousa took the two spots on offer from Group C, with Bully Boy sealing top spot thanks to victory that ended Krzysztof Ratajski’s hopes of a place in the second round.

Smith recovered from 10 missed darts at double across the opening three legs to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 success and a meeting with England team-mate Rob Cross in the last 16.

The world No 4 needed just two legs to ensure his progress and when he levelled the contest at 2-2 his place in round two was secure. Ratajski’s hopes were still in tact but he needed to reel off three straight legs and it wasn’t to be as an improved performance on the outer ring saw Smith claim a 3-2 lead to end the Polish Eagle’s campaign and allowed Bully Boy to power to the finishing line.

De Sousa had kicked off the night in third place in the group but ensured his debut in the event would continue with a 5-1 win over Lisa Ashton that saw him into a last 16 date with Dave Chisnall.

The Special One won the European Darts Grand Prix last month but has yet to make a big impact in the televised majors and a dominant display against Ashton that featured six 180s, left the four-time women’s world champion winless on her second appearance at the tournament.

Van Gerwen stays perfect as Hunt pinches final spot

Michael van Gerwen maintained his 100 per cent record without matching the heights of his first two matches, thanks to a 5-3 victory over Joe Cullen, who was left to rue three missed darts for a place in the last 16.

MVG was assured of qualification having averaged more than 100 in victories over Gabriel Clemens and Adam Hunt, but an average of 92 was enough to account for Cullen, who needed four legs to progress after Hunt had shocked Clemens.

Clemens had begun the evening in second spot, but ended up bottom as he collapsed from a 2-0 lead to a 5-2 defeat that meant Hunt, bottom before the contest, was in with a chance of pinching second spot in the group.

Leg difference was going to be crucial in the match between Van Gerwen and Cullen, and when the Rock Star fought back from 3-1 down to level he looked to have the momentum required to claim the single leg he needed.

Van Gerwen edged 4-3 in front before Cullen blew his chance, leaving double seven with the Dutchman a long was back, Cullen managed to miss four darts for the leg and a place in the second round, allowing MVG to step and claim the win that gave Hunt the final place in the knockout stages.

Don’t miss a dart from the Grand Slam of Darts on Sky Sports as the action continues on Wednesday – join us from 3pm on Sky Sports Arena and follow us @SkySportsDarts for updates and clips throughout the tournament.

(c) Sky Sports 2020: Grand Slam of Darts 2020: Peter Wright knocked out by Devon Petersen