WES NEWTON 8-6 PETER WRIGHT

WES NEWTON produced a stirring comeback from 4-0 down against Peter Wright to reach the quarter-finals of the Cash Converters Players Championship with an 8-6 victory.

Wright had impressed in his first round victory over Denis Ovens and continued the form with a blistering start against Newton, who had to wait five legs to have a dart at a double.

Lowestoft's Wright opened the game with a 180 and hit double ten for the opening leg before the pair traded maximums in the second, which he won against the throw on tops for a 12-darter.

He then added a 13-dart finish in taking the third on double 18 and hit another 180 in a 12-darter to lead 4-0, finishing 105 on tops.

Wright could also have taken the fifth, but missed darts at double 12, six and three to allow Newton in, as the UK Open finalist followed up a 180 by hitting double 18 with his first dart at a double in the game.

Wright also missed tops in the next, for a 135 checkout, and Newton finished 70 on double 16 before maintaining a perfect finishing record with double 18 to pull back to 4-3.

He then levelled on tops before Wright, with the advantage of throw, took two of the next three to lead 6-5, landing double 18 and double top.

Newton won the 12th with a superb 12-darter, which featured a 180 and two 140s before he finished double 12.

He then took a crucial break to lead for the first time at 7-6, with Wright missing two darts at tops to allow the Fleetwood ace in on double ten.

Wright battled to force a deciding leg in the next, but missed double 16 for a 106 checkout and Newton posted tops to move into the quarter-finals.

"Peter started so well and he was awesome for the first four legs," said Newton. "He could have gone five legs up and that would have made it even harder for me.

"After I got my first leg, I had to try hang in there and take one leg at a time. I managed to get some momentum going and I'm both happy and relieved to be through."

Wright admitted: "I'm a bit gutted but Wes never gives up and he was on my heels all the time."