PRICE POWERS PAST SCHINDLER AT GRAND SLAM

GERWYN PRICE reckons the Wolverhampton crowd could be the secret weapon that fires him to another Grand Slam title.

‘The Iceman’ battled past Martin Schindler 10-6 to reach the last 16 of the major at the Aldersey Leisure Centre.

Former World Champ Price averaged 96.71 and smashed in a 170 checkout to book a quarter-final tie with Ricky Evans.

Price — who’s not always had the easiest ride from fans — was loudly cheered throughout his win and admitted the support made all the difference.

He said: “It was a difficult game. Martin was nowhere near what he can play. Towards the end we started to play a bit better, but in the end I was happy to get over the finishing line.

“I should have been 8-2 up, so I was disappointed and beat myself up allowing him to come back. But I’m proud of myself to come through that.”

Markham thrower Price stormed into a 5-1 lead before losing his rhythm, allowing Schindler to threaten a comeback.

World No. 15 Schindler wrestled the bout back to 6-5 before Price thumped in the big fish to restore order.

Price then held his nerve in the bout as he continued his march for a FOURTH Grand Slam crown.

He added: “It [my start] was partly to do with the crowd – I don’t usually get this support, but they were fantastic.

“This is my favourite tournament, I always do well here. With the crowd behind me now, I think I’ll do even better!”

Image by Taylor Lanning.