PRICE DEFENDS LITTLER AND REVEALS FARM BOOST

GERWYN PRICE insists Luke Littler’s fiery clash with Gian van Veen is just “part and parcel” of darts.

The Night Nine winner played down the heated scenes in Manchester after the teenage sensation’s angry reaction during his quarter-final defeat. 

World No.3 Van Veen appeared to stare down Littler as he celebrated him missing match darts during their bout. 

‘The Nuke’ then flung his arms in the air and made a crybaby gesture towards the Dutch ace, having missed his own chance to win on double seven.  

But Van Veen eventually edged a dramatic 6-5 decider, sparking a tense exchange between the pair. 

Price believes the incident will quickly blow over and is simply part of the sport’s emotional nature. 

He said: “Things like this happen in darts. In a couple of weeks, it will be done and dusted, gone and we’ll move on. 

“I have been in that situation, but that’s part and parcel of darts. Emotions are up and down. It is a rollercoaster and people get hyped up. 

“I think it’s almost important to have that element in darts because darts is not just the darts on the board, it is a show, isn’t it? 

“Sometimes you need to be a bit peed off and get those reactions. What’s the point if you don’t want to win that much? 

“Yes, you probably regret some of the things you do or the reactions you have and you think about it tomorrow. 

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I’ve been there. 

“The backlash off it, probably Luke will have a little bit of it, but a couple of weeks down the line it will be gone.” 

The Iceman then went on to produce a dominant display of his own and brushed aside Van Veen 6-2 in the final, smashing in two brilliant 128 checkouts and averaging a stunning 105.84. 

The Welshman now sits second in the table — just two points behind Littler — as the play-off race heats up. 

Price admitted finally completing work on his farm helped ease the pressure and fire him to victory. 

The seven-time major winner has been juggling life on the circuit with ongoing work at home, with the project weighing heavily on his mind in recent weeks. 

He revealed: “Yeah, I think it was the stress of the farm waiting for it to be completed for the last couple of weeks. 

“It was completed today, so it gave me confidence, eased the pressure, and I went on to win. 

“I think it’s that tight, even with Josh [Rock]. If he wins two weeks on the bounce, then he is on 14 points. 

“It can go any way. I think I have got half a foot in, but over the next two weeks, if I can pick up two points each week. 

“That is all I will target, then I think I will be in a good position. But I am not looking too far ahead yet.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.