Back To The Future For Wright!

Peter Wright - Unibet Champions League of Darts (Chris Dean, PDC)

PETER WRIGHT is going back to the future in his bid for Unibet Champions League glory this weekend.

After forging a reputation as darts' tinker-man with his constant changes of darts throughout recent years, the Scot won nine tournaments during the first seven months of 2017.

Despite reaching the BetVictor World Matchplay and Unibet Melbourne Darts Masters finals since, Wright has yet to add to that tally.

He battled through to the semi-finals of the recent Dutch Darts Masters despite having to borrow darts from Simon Whitlock when his luggage failed to arrive in the Netherlands, but was knocked out of the German Darts Grand Prix by Ronny Huybrechts.

Wright has now pledged to return to using the set of darts he played with to great effect earlier in 2017 as he prepares for the BBC-televised Champions League.

"My preparation is going pretty good so far," Wright told the Love The Darts podcast. "I've gone by to my diamond darts and I'm looking forward to the Champions League.

"My form was really good at the beginning of the year with my diamond darts but I wanted to try other things; obviously it hasn't worked.

Peter Wright

"I've been on the board this week and the old darts fit like a glove. I shouldn't change but I hate using them!"

Wright will open his Champions League challenge against Dave Chisnall on Saturday afternoon, and will also meet Gary Anderson and Mensur Suljovic in Group B.

"I want to win my group and then hopefully play who whoever finishes second in the other group, which is really hard to call," he added.

"Adrian Lewis played really well at the World Matchplay after having time off, he could be a very dangerous player - as we all know he's one of the best players in the world.

"Barney can turn up and play fantastic and hit nine-darters, we all know how good Phil is, and Michael...he could have a bad weekend!"

Victory in Cardiff would see Wright's double-figure tally for the year see him join an elite group of players to have won ten or more tournaments in a year.

"Winning nine tournaments is fantastic," he reflected. "Some players one win one tournament a year, so to win nine and with plenty more to go - and going back to my old darts that I feel more comfortable with - I want to pass that number ten and hopefully become one of those legends of darts who have actually got over ten tournaments in a year, like Michael, Phil, John Part

"To join that elite club of winning ten tournaments or more in a year, I'd be pretty honoured."

Tickets for the Unibet Champions League of Darts are available through motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk or by calling 029 2022 4488.

Unibet Champions League of Darts
Saturday September 16
Afternoon Session (1.15pm, BBC One)

First Group Matches
Peter Wright v Dave Chisnall (B)
Gary Anderson v Mensur Suljovic (B)
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis (A)
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld (A)

Evening Session (6.45pm, BBC Two)
Second Group Matches
The afternoon session's winners face each other, and the losing players face each other.

Sunday September 17
Afternoon Session (1pm, BBC Two)

Final Group Matches

Evening Session (6.30pm, BBC Two)
Semi-Finals
Final

Format
Group Matches - Best of 19 legs
Semi-Final & Final - Best of 21 legs