Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney shared a robust handshake after their match in Blackpool
Gerwyn Price triumphed over Daryl Gurney in a spirited contest at the World Matchplay in Blackpool.
Price, representing Wales, secured a 10-7 victory against Northern Ireland’s Gurney, culminating in a tense exchange between the two players.
The 2021 world champion, Price, appeared displeased with Gurney’s apparent mimicking of his enthusiastic victory celebration. He engaged in a firm handshake with Gurney, after which both players exchanged animated words.
Elsewhere, Michael van Gerwen, a three-time champion, advanced to the second round despite a less-than-stellar performance against Raymond van Barneveld.
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Gurney’s compatriot, Josh Rock, achieved a 104.32 average and a 167 checkout in his 10-5 victory over 14th seed Ross Smith. Meanwhile, England’s Chris Dobey, seeded sixth, is set to face Price in the next round after defeating Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko with the same scoreline.
The tension between Gurney and Price seemed to originate when the Northern Irishman appeared to utter an expletive to himself as the players prepared to leave the stage for the second interval.
The pair have a history of clashes, notably in 2019 when security intervened after a Premier League match in Sheffield.
Price, who has been focusing on fitness and weight loss, refrained from commenting directly on the recent altercation, but alluded to it on Instagram, stating: “Have to be careful these days, I’m down to light-cruiserweight.”
He countered a remarkable 150 checkout from Gurney with consecutive legs of 11 and 14 darts to secure his win.
“I felt like I really struggled up there, but I still played pretty well,” said Price, who averaged 100.21 and hit six 180s.
“Getting through the first round is always tough for me, but when I do then I’m dangerous.
“There’s a lot more in the tank which is good, and I feel like I’ve got so much more to give in this tournament.”
Michael van Gerwen won the World Matchplay in 2015, 2016 and 2022
Van Gerwen acknowledged he “made things difficult for himself” before ultimately defeating fellow Dutchman Van Barneveld 10-6 in a match marked by errors at the Winter Gardens.
Van Barneveld, a runner-up in 2010, held a 4-3 lead before the world number three rallied.
“Raymond didn’t play his A-game, but I was more annoyed with my own game because I know I could do better,” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.
“This is a tournament I love to play. I have won it three times. It is always an intense crowd. Everything is perfect. But when you don’t play perfect it is really annoying.
“We all know I am a winner. I don’t like losing. But maybe this is the start of something really nice.”
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