Darts stars 'clash off stage' at World Matchplay as security guards forced to intervene

Daily Mirror

6 days ago

Things got spicy between Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney during their first round match at the World Matchplay as the Welshman claimed a feisty 10-7 victory in Blackpool
Daryl Gurney and Gerwyn Price's World Matchplay barney extended off stage in Blackpool - with Gurney having to be restrained by security guards as the Welshman conducted a post-match interview.
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Initially the pair exchanged heated words on the oche, immediately after Price claimed a feisty 10-7 victory in their first round match. Throughout there had been a bit of needle between the pair, with booming celebrations from Price followed by similar by Gurney, appearing to mock his opponent.
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When Price had held off a comeback from Gurney, sealing victory with double 12, he wasn't shy to celebrate. Price screamed in joy and gave it some big fist pumps, before collecting his darts out of the board and going to shake his opponent's hand.
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As Price collected his darts, Gurney turned to the crowd with a furrowed brow and did a mock body shake celebration, seemingly mimicking Price again.
Price approached him, shook his hand and appeared to say 'well played buddy', but the body language was anything but friendly. Gurney said something back, prompting further words from Price as he shook hands with the referees.
With veins popping out of his forehead, 'The Iceman' screamed some more celebrations, triggering clear annoyance from Gurney, who chuntered away to himself while shaking his head.
"Gerwyn Price was taking liberty to Daryl Gurney's mimicking of him. They're feisty characters aren't they?' Mark Webster said on Sky Sports. "Let's not take away from what was a brilliant game. Price kept it in check until he got that winning leg and Gerwyn Price gets the last laugh. That's the type of characters they are. I think Price said 'well played, buddy'."
Now, Damian Vlottes, from the Dutch Darts Draait Door podcast, has claimed that Gurney was having to be restrained by security as Price took part in an interview with talkSPORT.
Vlottes said: 'Gurney was literally at the door with his head round the corner. Two security guards had to hold him back. He clearly wanted to confront Price again. He came in swearing.'
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Vincent Van der Voort added: 'He was ready for a nice, friendly chat. He was absolutely fuming. Still insisting he did nothing wrong, that it was all on Price.
'I only spoke to Daryl afterwards. All he said was, 'I didn't do anything wrong.' He was angry, really angry. There was no calm conversation. He made it clear he's not a fan of Price.
'But I imagine Price would say the opposite. There's so much emotion involved. I don't mind it though, adds spice to the sport. As long as it doesn't turn physical, this sort of tension has its place.'
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Price declined to answer any questions from the media about the incident, saying instead: "Five, six, seven years ago that game probably could have got away from me and just slipped away. I've learned to just try and keep my emotions intact at key points, and I did it today.
'I think in two or three legs where my head was going to blow off, but I had to just keep it in. I just felt like I needed to keep myself composed. Sometimes I can and I was forcing not to let my emotions get the best of me, sometimes that's what happens. I can let out the emotions and then the next leg is not so good.'
It isn't the first time the two players have been involved in some heated scenes at the oche, having had to be separated back in 2019 following a Premier League match in Sheffield. Back then Price had been taunting the crowd after being booed, prompting some shoving and pointed fingers.