Snakebite crushes Cross at Grand Slam

Peter Wright continued his quest for another major title with a resounding 10-3 win over second seed Rob Cross

Peter Wright produced a ruthless display to thrash second seed Rob Cross 10-3 and cruise through to the Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals.

On a night which saw two closely contested tussles, Wright and Cross were expected to serve up an epic in Wolverhampton, but the 2018 world champion was blown away by an imperious Snakebite.

Cross displayed vulnerability in the group stages – losing to Dave Chisnall and scraping through a last-leg decider against Jamie Hughes, and he was unable to rectify matters against the 2017 finalist, who was in control from the outset.

Wright will take on 2014 finalist Dave Chisnall for a semi-final spot, after the World Grand Prix runner-up swept aside qualifier Ryan Harrington in the evening’s opener.

Elsewhere, Michael Smith defeated fellow Premier League star Daryl Gurney to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final clash against three-time BDO world champion Glen Durrant.

Smith and Gurney both averaged over a ton in a high-quality affair, although Smith’s power scoring and combination finishing proved decisive as he continued his bid to land his elusive first major title.

Durrant displayed nerves of steel to defeat impressive debutant Gabriel Clemens and will face Smith for a place in the last four, in a repeat of their World Matchplay semi-final back in July.

The pair also met in the group stages and ‘Duzza’ was unhappy at what he perceived to be disrespectful comments from Bully Boy surrounding Durrant’s place in the tournament as a BDO representative.

Peter Wright 10-3 Rob Cross

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Peter Wright was in bullish mood after recording a convincing win over Rob Cross in the second round of the Grand Slam.

Wright made a blistering start to proceedings but perhaps did not secure the advantage his dominance deserved, registering legs of 14, 11 and 13 darts to lead 3-2 – averaging 112.60 to Cross’ 96.

Nevertheless, Snakebite was duly rewarded for his relentless consistency in the second session as ‘Voltage’ failed to find a spark.

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Wright won seven of the final eight legs to sweep aside Cross

The seventh seed closed out 17 and 14 dart legs to increase his lead to 5-2, before capitalising on a missed double from Cross to produce a clinical 102 checkout and continue the procession.

Snakebite claimed a fourth straight leg with a 15-dart break and despite registering a mediocre 10th leg, he was not punished by the under-par second seed and sank double two to edge closer to a comprehensive success.

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Wright produced a clinical 102 checkout after Cross had spurned a glorious break opportunity

Wright rattled off a sixth straight leg with an effortless 82 combination to move to within a leg of victory, before wiring the bull for a 124 roof-raiser.

Cross prolonged the contest by taking out 72 although this did not an inspired fightback, as Wright clinched his progression with his sixth match dart at double 10.

Michael Smith 10-7 Daryl Gurney

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Michael Smith insists he will keep knocking on the door in his search for a major trophy after he beat Daryl Gurney in the last 16 of the Grand Slam

In a battle between two of the world’s top six, third seed Smith came out on top to secure just his second win over the Northern Irishman in their last five meetings.

The St Helens star drew first blood before Gurney reeled off three legs on the spin to seize the early initiative, although Smith reduced the arrears at the interval with a sumptuous 11-darter.

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Smith has beaten Durrant in both of their televised clashes in 2019

‘Super Chin’ restored his two-leg buffer with a 13-darter before a blistering barrage from Smith swung the pendulum – four successive legs in 14, 11, 13 and 15 darts, featuring finishes of 100 and 110 saw him open up a 6-4 cushion.

The pair traded breaks of throw as Gurney attempted to cut the deficit, although Smith’s consistency throughout his game was proving difficult to contend with.

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Gurney wired three darts at double 12 to level in leg 10 and was duly punished by Bully Boy

Smith’s Achilles heel is often his profligacy in the doubling department and although he was clinical in the opening exchanges, he spurned six darts at double for a 9-6 lead, which saw sixth seed Gurney close to within one.

Nevertheless, roles were reversed moments later as Gurney missed two at double eight to square the contest and Smith sank a vital 69 checkout to move to the brink of victory, before sealing the deal with an assured 13-darter via tops.

Glen Durrant 10-9 Gabriel Clemens

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Durrant is bidding to reach his third major semi-final of 2019

Durrant recovered from 7-4 down and survived a match dart to defeat Clemens in a gripping deciding-leg tussle to secure a place in his second Grand Slam quarter-final.

Clemens boasted a group stage average of over 102 – the highest in the bottom half of the draw, and he maintained that fine form by racing into a 3-0 lead.

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Durrant’s 132 checkout put him back in contention after a sluggish start

The three-time BDO world champion responded with an eye-catching 132 finish on the bull en route to restoring parity at three apiece, but Clemens remained unfazed and rattled off 110 and 66 combinations to lead 6-4 with a 104 average.

‘The German Giant’ restored his three-leg buffer with a nerveless 106 checkout in leg 11, although yet again Durrant fought back – crucial finishes of 107 and a two-dart 80 combination levelling up proceedings at 7-7.

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Clemens’ 110 checkout

Clemens edged back ahead courtesy of a quality 12-dart hold and with the next two legs shared, the German was one leg away from reaching a first major televised quarter-final.

However, Clemens spurned one match dart at tops which saw Durrant force a decider and despite not having led at any stage in the match, the Teessider delivered when it mattered – firing in a nerveless 14-darter to prevail in a classic.

Dave Chisnall 10-3 Ryan Harrington

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Chisnall was clinical in the early stages as he established a commanding cushion against the qualifier

Chisnall secured a place in his second Grand Slam quarter-final after wrapping up an emphatic 10-3 win over Harrington with a 102 average.

Harrington – ranked 95th in the PDC, kicked off proceedings with three consecutive 140s to underline his intentions, but Chisnall stole the early initiative courtesy of back-to-back 14-darters.

The St Helens star extended his lead to 4-0 with a clinical 104 kill on tops, but Harrington stopped the rot and opened his account with a sparkling 154 checkout.

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Harrington opened his account with an inspired 154 checkout

Chisnall increased his lead to 7-1 with legs of 13, 14 and 11 darts as his average climbed above 106, but Harrington was unfazed and registered back-to-back legs to reduce the arrears to 7-3 – following up a 13-dart break with a classy 87 checkout.

Nevertheless, Harrington – who averaged 96, was unable to make further inroads after the interval and the five-time major finalist reeled off the final three legs without reply to continue his impressive run of form.

Coverage of the Grand Slam of Darts continues on Thursday as the last 16 draws to a close. Join us on Sky Sports Action & Main Event from 7pm and follow along with all the news, interviews & results at www.skysports.com/darts