Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney exchanged heated words after a fiery World Matchplay contest on Monday night in Blackpool, which Price won 10-7. The Welshman's exuberant celebration after hitting double 12 to seal victory sparked the clash, with Gurney taking offence at the manner of his opponent's fist pumps and screams.
Gurney mimicked Price's celebration during the match and again after the final dart, turning to the crowd with a furrowed brow and a mock body shake. Price approached him, shook his hand and appeared to say “well played buddy”, but the body language was tense. Gurney responded, leading to further words from Price as he shook hands with the referees.
Price, known as 'The Iceman', continued to scream with veins bulging, prompting Gurney to shake his head and mutter to himself. Sky Sports commentator Mark Webster noted: “Gerwyn Price was taking liberty to Daryl Gurney's mimicking of him. They're feisty characters aren't they?”
Price declined to discuss the incident with the media, instead focusing on his composure: “Five, six, seven years ago that game probably could have got away from me. I’ve learned to try and keep my emotions intact at key points, and I did it today.” He admitted that in a few legs his head was “going to blow off” but he forced himself to stay composed.
This is not the first clash between the two; they had to be separated in 2019 after a Premier League match in Sheffield. On that occasion, Gurney publicly apologised, and Price accepted, tweeting: “Life’s too short to have enemies and hold grudges.”
