Darts results: Peter Wright breezes past Mickey Mansell on opening night at the World Championship

By Sporting Life

10:27 · FRI December 16, 2022

Peter Wright came dressed as the Grinch and stole the show as his World Championship defence got off to a winning start.

The Scot, who is known to be eccentric, was in his element on the opening day of the showpiece event, kitting out in a bright green outfit in homage to the Christmas character, complete with matching beard and mohawk.

The 2020 champion came dressed for a party but meant business, taking out Mickey Mansell in ruthless manner with a 3-0 victory at the Alexandra Palace to book his place in the third round after Christmas.

ALSO WATCH: Paul Nicholson and Chris Hammer predict the Ally Pally draw!

Predicting the PDC World Darts Championship with Paul Nicholson!

Mansell had beaten Ben Robb in the opening match of this year’s tournament, but could not cope with Wright’s scoring power and was only able to win one leg in the match.

‘Snakebite’ threw two 180s and landed finishes of 126 and 121 as he got the job done in clinical style.

Wright’s costume was applied by his hairdresser wife Jo, who was recently given the all-clear following complications after having her gall bladder removed.

The Scot said: “It is good for Jo to be healthy and on the mend and we only found out last Wednesday that she was getting better and wasn’t going to be in the hospital every day. That was a weight off my shoulders.

"Obviously I'm not happy with my performance but it's a win, I'm happy and the defending champion is still in.

"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.

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

WRIGHT OFF THE MARK!

Averaging 19 points more than his opponent, Peter Wright takes the first set 3-1 and he's up and running here at Ally Pally...#WCDarts | R1
📺 https://t.co/37DNuuK5Me pic.twitter.com/zO2kP9tXkJ
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 15, 2022

There was an Alexandra Palace debut to remember for Grant Sampson as he beat Keane Barry 3-1.

The South African had needed to use Crowdfunding to help pay for his flight from Cape Town and he travelled to the venue on the bus.

But by reaching the second round, where he meets Kim Huybrechts on Friday night, he pocketed £15,000, which should at least mean he can travel in a bit more comfort.

He said: “I am still pumped with adrenalin. That was amazing. Back home we only play in front of 50 people so playing in front of a crowd like that was beautiful.

“All my dreams came true by qualifying so I had nothing to lose. I am really proud, it is the biggest night of my life, I won’t be able to sleep.”

THE BIGGEST WIN OF HIS LIFE! 🇿🇦

WHAT A MOMENT FOR GRANT SAMPSON!

It's a dream debut for the South African, he defeats the Irish ace Keane Barry 3-1 to win on the grandest stage of them all!

Up next 👉 Wattimena v Rafferty#WCDarts | R1
📺 https://t.co/37DNuuK5Me pic.twitter.com/nFs0H8LGZ8
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 15, 2022

There was also a debut win for Northern Irishman Nathan Rafferty, who won a fifth-set decider against Jermaine Wattimena.

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

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."

Thursday results and Friday schedule

Thursday December 15
Evening Session (7pm GMT)
First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts

Mickey Mansell (92.49) 3-1 (89.13) Ben Robb (R1)
Set scores: 3-0, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2
Keane Barry (78.35) 1-3 (77.29) Grant Sampson (R1)
Set scores: 2-3, 2-3, 3-1, 1-3
Jermaine Wattimena (88.46) 2-3 (87.63) Nathan Rafferty (R1)
Set scores: 2-3, 3-2, 0-3, 3-0, 2-3
(2) Peter Wright (88.34) 3-0 (77.9) Mickey Mansell (R2)
Set scores: 3-1, 3-0, 3-0

Friday December 16
Afternoon Session (12.30pm GMT)
First/Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts