Darts

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Price won’t face darts rap after “pathetic” outburst

GERWYN PRICE will not face a Darts Regulation Authority rap despite calling booing fans “pathetic”.

The World Champ breezed past Dave Chisnall 3-0 to book his place in a third successive Grand Prix semi-final.

Price also refused to do a post-match press conference where he was defending by Chizzy. But darts bosses confirmed yesterday he would not be disciplined for the outburst.

The Welshman blasted: “There’s a lot more in the tank for me. It was a difficult game, obviously the crowd are a bit rubbish again as you can hear but I won so no matter what they do, I’ll keep winning.

“Give me an opportunity and I’ll take it. I thought I bombed the second set after missing 25 and then I think I took out a 104 in the next leg but the crowd are absolutely pathetic but I won.”

Despite defeat, Chisnall did the post match media after a furious Price declined following his victory over the St Helens ace.

Chisnall was full of praise for his opponent both on and off the oche post match and called for fans to give him the respect he deserves as the top player in the sport.

He said: “He’s an absolute legend. He’s a great lad off the oche as well. I had a little chat with him after he came off for the second break and someone shouted come on Gezzy and I said to him at least you’ve got one fan in there. Disappointed to lose but roll on to the next tournament.

“He gives it like he does but he can take it. Give him respect, he’s World No.1. They didn’t boo Van Gerwen when he was No.1.

“I think it was a missed opportunity. He didn’t play brilliant but you can’t give him that many chances. I’ve got nothing against him and I don’t mind him when he gives it a big roar because it spurs me on.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

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Bunting takes cool Klopp approach for more glory

By Phil Lanning

EXCLUSIVE

ON-FORM Stephen Bunting admits he’s taking the Jurgen Klopp approach as he bids for more oche glory.

Massive Liverpool fan The Bullet has been inspired by Anfield’s charismatic German boss as he has returned to the top of the sport.

Bunting, 36, reached the World Championship semi-finals and has delivered a class run to this week’s World Grand Prix quarters beating James Wade and Daryl Gurney on the way.

The ex-Lakeside World Champ said: “I’m definitely all for taking the Jurgen Klopp approach to my game. If I could apply his amazing man management to the way I go about playing, then I could probably be as successful as him.

“I think he’s done a great job of Liverpool. I’ve just about calmed down from winning the Champions League final and Premiership.

“It’s definitely inspiring, it’s all about having a winning mentality. I’ve had my real lows a couple of years ago. My sports psychologist helped me through the toughest times I’ve ever had in my career when I almost quit.

“But now I handle it myself. I have a good belief in what I can achieve and I’m enjoying turning up at events.

“I’ve also adopted more of a golfer attitude, where they forget about the previous hole if it wasn’t a good one. 

“It’s the same in darts. We have so many tournaments now, you have to immediately forget a bad defeat or any loss at all. Forget and move on to the next one and start afresh. If you allow it to carry over, it can destroy you.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

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Taylor will headline World Seniors Championship on BBC

PHIL TAYLOR will play World Championship darts on the BBC for the first time in almost 30 years.

The Power is the big star at the inaugural Jennings Bet World Seniors Darts Championship in February 2022.

And the BBC will show the Circus Tavern event live across its digital platforms and iPlayer.

The last time Taylor, 61, played on the Beeb at the highest level was when he lost as defending champ in the second round of the 1993 Lakeside BDO Worlds before the bitter switch to the PDC.

Ray Stubbs will present the first World Seniors event, which features 24 oche legends.

Taylor can’t wait for return, saying: “I’ll be back on the practice board, taking it dead serious and taking them all on at the Seniors.

“It would be great to rattle a few cages again. I would love to see the look on a few people’s faces if they landed me in the draw.

“Most people probably start thinking about winding down when they reach 60, but the chance to become a world champion again has given me a new lease of life.”

Taylor will make is grand entrance into the Tavern on February 4th in the 7pm session. 

Other headline ex-World Champs joining Taylor including John Part who beat The Power on that famous stage in 2003. Other World Champ entrants will be Wayne Warren, John Lowe, John Part, Martin Adams, Bob Anderson, Keith Deller, Ted Hankey, John Walton and Richie Burnett.

But there’s a host of other high-class names. Kevin Painter will be back at the Tavern, scene of his great final with Taylor in 2004. Peter Manley also returns to the stage where he lost three finals to Taylor in 1999, 2002 and 2006.

Trina Gulliver will also be there along with Tony O’Shea, Terry Jenkins, Darryl Fitton, Roland Scholten and the most recent addition Paul Lim.

Two further qualifiers will come from an event weekend of November 13/14, making a complete field of 24. 

The top eight seeds placed into last 16 while seeds 9-24 play an extra round to find eight winners to meet them. The winner will receive a minimum £25,000 cheque.

The format will be sets and legs like the original World Championships. Should any player be unable to appear because of ill health or because they regain professional status then first reserve is Deta Hedman.

Images by Taylor Lanning.

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MVG “angry and disappointed” at ‘Stampgate’ storm

MICHAEL van Gerwen admitted he was “angry and disappointed” after a World Grand Prix ‘stampgate’ storm.

The three-times World Champ crashed out of the tournament following a bust-up with fellow countryman Danny Noppert on Monday night.

Noppert, 30, claimed that MVG was stamping on the stage to put him off going for a double before knocking out the former World No.1.

The pair failed to shake hands after the match and Van Gerwen blasted: “I’m angry and disappointed that I didn’t win. The fans were phenomenal in Leicester. I have played this sport a long time and have never and will never use tactics on the oche.”

It was the biggest win for Noppert in the PDC but he admitted that he couldn’t enjoy it under the controversial circumstances. 

He said: “We make some words with each other after the first set. He was angry. I didn’t want it this way, it’s bad. If he steps on the floor, he has more weigh than me.

“I told him he stomped on the floor when I threw for a double. We then had words after the first set. After that I was throwing brilliantly, but I could see that he was p****d off.”

There was nothing clear to see on the footage afterwards to indicate that Van Gerwen tried to put Noppert off. But the former Lakeside finalist insists that gamesmanship was used.

He added: “You can’t see this on TV. It was my experience. I felt I had to say something about it and I did. I don’t regret that. I hope Michael and I can speak to each other after this. If not, no hard feelings.”

Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle added: “Only the players know what went on and only Michael knows if he was stamping. Maybe he did. And if he did then he’s kind of gone to depths that he hasn’t done before. But I don’t know.

“But Danny obviously felt there was something. But what we did see was that Michael was just there and he took exception to maybe a loose floorboard, it does happen a lot on these stages.

“That’s not making excuses for Michael van Gerwen. That’s just the experience of being up here a lot. But there’s clearly no love lost and there’s something that has gone on.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

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Humphries: Dirk was trying to “intimidate me”

RISING star Luke Humphries claims that Dirk van Duijvenbode was trying to intimidate him during their Grand Prix clash.

The Slough ace KO’d last year’s finalist Dutchman with a clinical display at the Morningside Arena, Leicester on Sunday night.

But Hump, the UK Open runner-up, explained the end of game on-stage verbals between the pair.

He said: “I’m not really one of them people that gets involved with celebrating but if people celebrate against me, try and show their emotions, I’ll make sure they know about it. 

“I think Dirk was celebrating a lot at the end there trying to intimidate me to make me think I’m behind you, you can miss. That’s why I celebrated hard to let him know he lost.

“I’m not very happy at all, I think I was very poor there. Especially the first set, I just knew something weren’t right there. I didn’t play very good, my hands are really cold. 

“The arena is really cold, I didn’t really expect it to be so cold. I was really struggling to let go of the darts the way I want them.”

Humphries also revealed his detailed preparation for the tournament and the fine margins he wants to correct especially in a double-start format.

He added: “Actually I did lots of in depth stuff. I watched plenty of my games back on YouTube. 

“I always thought I was a really good double 20 hitter on the stage but a stat came out that I wasn’t very good on the tops. This game is all about perfection, little millimetres.”

Gerwyn Price admits he is full of confidence despite recovering from a tennis below injury after a comfortable win over Michael Smith.

He said: “Obviously winning breeds confidence so I’m full of it and I know this tournament’s a bit different with double start double finish and it can get you a bit mentally. 

“But I just seem to concentrate a bit more these days and don’t seem to try and put myself under too much pressure and today it worked.”

All the talk is about whether Price will also fend off Peter Wright and Michael van Gerwen to keep his place as World No.1.

He added: “I’m No.1 now and I’ve been there done it. Peter’s obviously chasing it, he’s never been there so as long as he keeps chasing then I’m in a good place.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

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Wright: If you don’t like what I say, don’t listen!

By Phil Lanning

PETER WRIGHT has told his rivals to stop listening if they don’t like him mouthing off.

The Livingston ace kicks off a bid for a third major title this year against Rob Cross at the BoyleSports World Grand Prix tonight (Monday) in Leicester. 

Wright, 51, was given verbals by his big opponents throughout the Matchplay for constantly saying he was going to win the tournament – and he was proved right.

He said: “It’s up to them if they want to listen, I’m just pre-warning them. If I pre-warn you I’m going to win a tournament, that means you’ve got to practice harder or you’ll lose. Simple.

“I could shut up and say nothing and say I haven’t been practising or I haven’t picked up a dart for a month blah, blah, blah. But I’d be lying. 

“I feel really confident in my own ability to beat anybody in the world, I’ve proved that and done it. 

“I’ve been saying I fancy this tournament for the last few weeks now. So fingers crossed same thing happens. 

“It’s an amazing tournament, it’s a leveller, it doesn’t matter how good you are. The double-starts is about keeping calm, don’t get annoyed. If you don’t get off with the first three, you’re hoping your opponent doesn’t start with a big 160. It’s also a bit of luck you need.

“To beat Rob Cross, you’ve got to be on your game, otherwise you are going home. 

“My record isn’t great. I got to the final a couple of years ago because it was about time I did well.

“But I’ve had the feeling the past two or three weeks that I fancy this one. I’ve been working hard and people will be surprised with the darts I’ll be throwing.”

Wright has also vowed to take the World No.1 spot from Gerwyn Price in a fascinating three-way battle for the top dog of darts with Michael van Gerwen.

He added:  “I’m looking forward to being World No.1 so winning this tournament will help me catch Gezzy up. I’ve already said I’m going to win the Worlds as well this year, so I should be No.1 in the world at the beginning of next year.

“I think Gezzy is playing fantastic darts at the moment, but how long is that going to last?

“He’s got his injury that keeps coming up. I’ve had a similar sort of thing in my elbow and it’s horrible. You can’t predict when it’s going to come.

“He’s beat Michael again but Michael’s not on his game, but it’s coming back most definitely. But he’s not quite the Michael of old. 

“Of course Michael can come back. He’s still young, he’s won all those titles and he’s got the hunger. 

“Now he’s not just got Gezzy and I challenging him but you’ve got other players out there like Luke Humphries.

“I don’t think Michael’s game is far off, it’s just a little lack of consistency and missing the odd double when he used to punish you for that.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

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Price happy that rivals keep talking about him

EXCLUSIVE

GERWYN PRICE says he’s happy that his big rivals are all taking about chasing him down for the World No.1 spot.

The fiery Welshman begins the defence of his BoyleSports Grand Prix title tonight (Sunday) against Michael Smith at the Morningside Arena in Leicester. 

But Price, 36, is bullish about his own chances despite a troublesome reign as World Champion since January.

He vowed: “I know if I play my A game 99.9 per cent of the time I’m going to win. 

“A couple of years back I couldn’t really get over a whitewash against Michael van Gerwen, every game was a struggle. I was losing 6-5 or by one leg, it was just in the back of my head week-in, week-out. 

“Now the tables are turning where I think Michael thinks about these games more. Not just Michael but also Peter. I’ve won tournaments not playing well and playing well. 

“Obviously being the World Champ and World No.1 people want to beat you that extra 10 or 20 per cent. They just try a little bit too hard sometimes. 

“It’s hard to get to World No.1 and it’s even harder to stay there. If Peter does well and wins a couple of majors and overtakes me before the Worlds then fair play to him.

“But it’s going to be tough for him. I think I only need to win one major and I don’t think it will be possible for him.

“It’s all good that they are talking about chasing me. A couple of years ago I was chasing everybody else. I’m not looking over my shoulder. It’s up to them to catch me.”

Price has always conceded that the Grand Prix isn’t his favourite format yet delivered a cracking tournament a year ago for his maiden win, beating shock merchant Dirk van Duijvenbode in the final.

He added: “Every tournament now I go into win. Being the defending champ it would be nice to have a good run and get into the final.

“I seem to do well when I’m defending tournaments. The Grand Slam I defended and a couple of Europeans. Hopefully I’ll do the same at the Grand Prix and the big one at the end of the year as well.

“To be honest I’m not a big fan of the format. It’s added pressure. It’s hard enough to hit a double to finish as well as starting as well.

“I just don’t like the set format. Even though I won last year and the Worlds, I just prefer the sprints to 10, or best of 15. 

“It doesn’t matter who you play, every game is going to be tough. I just concentrate on my own game.

“I’m defending some big money now. Hopefully I can take that pressure off and win this week.

“Obviously rivalries are good for the game, crowd and entertainment. But on a personal note I don’t think about that.”

Pictures by Taylor Lanning.

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Is the Price right? Grand Prix betting preview…

World Grand Prix Darts – Betting Preview

IN just 24 hours the PDC World Grand Prix gets underway at the Morningside Arena in Leicester and Garreth Porter has taken an early look at the betting markets for the famous double-start set play tournament. 

Our resident bookmakers, Fitzdares, will be offering prices on multiple markets throughout the event and have kindly boosted the selections in this article to be industry best price. All statistics referred to in this article are provided by Darts Orakel, aka ‘The Orakel’ – Sky Sports’ official statistics partner. 

Defending champion and World No.1, Gerwyn Price, deservedly starts his World Grand Prix defence as the 7/2 favourite after two compelling victories on the European Tour in Hungary and Gibraltar. 

His decision to withdraw from the Nordic Masters with an elbow injury two weeks ago was much scrutinised but turned out to be a shrewd move as he subsequently secured his success in Gibraltar with a merciless 8-0 victory over Mensur Suljovic in the final, where he averaged 105.47. 

With the double-start format evidently presenting no problem to Price, it would be no surprise if he were to retain his title, but there’s not much wriggle room at his odds, so I am looking elsewhere in the outright market for a bet.

Step forward a player who is as proficient as Price on double-top in the form of James Wade. 

It is widely known that Wade is consistently the best on the outer ring in the world (checking out at 45.45% in 2021), but it is surprising that he has won just one match at this event in the last six years. 

Whilst it is hard to reconcile this record, it should be remembered that this event is one of two PDC majors that Wade has won twice (in 2007 and 2010) and I fancy him to go well at a very generous 28/1. 

It is my view that the draw has been kind to Wade; he kicks off against Damon Heta who still struggles to bring his floor game to the stage, whilst his quarter also includes an out-of-sorts Dirk van Duijenbode and Dimitri Van den Bergh who must prove he is over his dramatic televised collapse against Fallon Sherrock at the Nordic Masters, whilst he also looked below par at the World Cup of Darts. 

Advice:
Back James Wade to win the World Grand Prix1 point win at 28/1 (Fitzdares)

Diverting my attention to the first round matches, my nap is Mervyn King (8/13) who takes on debutant Martijn Kleermaker. 

Despite a more than respectable 2021 average of 95.43, King has perhaps not hit the heights one might expect after the form he showed late in 2020, his best return being a final in the Masters back in January, although this was not a ranked event. 

More recently, two quarter-final Pro Tour defeats to Jose De Sousa would be seen as his strongest pieces of form. After years of shunning double-top King has shown a liking for it over the last year or so, but I expect him to start on double-16, where he rates as the fifth best in the world this year (hitting 45.96% of his attempts). 

King’s stats in scoring, averages, and checkouts all eclipse Kleermaker, who is without question improving, but looks to have it all to do here on debut against a seasoned campaigner. I’d have King somewhere nearer 2/5.

Next up, a reliable selection I have been including in the majority of my multiples recently. Brendan Dolan (4/7), affectionately known as the ‘History Maker’ after becoming the first player to record a perfect leg in a televised double-start event here in 2011, has been in excellent form throughout this year. 

In addition to winning a Pro Tour event back in March, he has also reached a final, three semi-finals and two quarter-finals, whilst he also reached the quarter-final of both the recent Euro Tour events. 

His 2021 average of 95.91 backs up how consistent he has been, whilst his checkout percentage over the same period (44.16%) is second only to James Wade, which obviously bodes well for his chances here. Like King, Dolan kicks off his campaign against a debutant in the form of Darius Labanauskas. Labanauskas has struggled to make much impact on the Pro Tour since a quarter-final appearance back in March, averaging just 88.91 during the last three months. It will be a huge ask for him to topple Dolan here, who will also have a huge experience edge having reached the final of this event in 2011 and a semi-final the following year. 

Both King and Dolan are confident selections and I’m happy to play them in a double, particularly as Fitzdares have generally boosted the price out to 13/8.

Advice: Back Mervyn King/Brendan Dolan3 points win double at 13/8 (Fitzdares)

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Polly James: Gezzy has the licence to thrill!

EVERYONE is talking about James Bond this week.

But forget about Daniel Craig, I’m not interested in double-oh-seven, I just can’t wait for the double-start BoyleSportsWorld Grand Prix!

I am totally buzzing because I am making my debut as a reporter for Sky Sports at the Morningside Arena in Leicester.

This really feels like the start of the darts season in some ways. It’s solid arrows now we are into the autumn and winter months. I love it.

That also means the players will be extra focused on making a statement of intent for the World Championship. 

Gerwyn Price is the man with a licence to thrill on the oche. He won the Grand Prix a year ago and went onto be World Champ of course. He will want to start the autumn in dominating form to show his rivals that he is the one to beat. 

Obviously it’s been quite a tough year for Gezzy, missing out on the Premier League because of a positive Covid test was a huge blow. He then saw Peter Wright in blistering form win the World Matchplay. 

But like a true fighter he will come back all guns blazing. He will be loving it that he won in Gibraltar last weekend, beating Michael van Gerwen on the way. Gezzy will want to keep getting those big results.

However he has been given a blockbuster draw with Michael Smith. What a belter that will be on Sunday night. 

What about the rest of the big guns? Wrighty has been in the best form probably all summer with the Matchplay win and, most recently, the World Cup.

But he has never won the Grand Prix and his best finish was runner-up in 2018. He’s also got a tricky opening draw taking on Rob Cross, who is due a big win at some stage.

MVG will be desperate to lay down a marker that he’s back in business. He will definitely be in the mix, only fools would rule out Mighty Mike.

For me, Jose de Sousa is always a dark horse because he’s so unflappable while Brendan Dolan has been in great form. 

Jonny Clayton is also going so great while I’m surprised James Wade has never won it either, just runner-up twice. He’s so lethal on double tops or double 10, The Machine has to be a contender if he’s in the mood.

Will we also get another shock like the aubergine king Dirk van Duijvenbode, who made it to the final last year.

Sometimes the double-start can be a great leveller. Robert Thornton was a surprise winner a few years back as well. Someone like Joe Cullen or Luke Humphries might fancy their chances. They definitely have the ability. 

Whatever happens it’s going to be a lush week. It starts on Sunday right through to the final on Saturday, October 9, every match live on Sky Sports.

I’d usually be at home with a curry or pizza with my feet up watching every dart go in. But instead I’ll be getting the inside info for TV.

Bring it on. Don’t miss it.

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Price follows advice from ex-England boss Sven

By Phil Lanning

GERWYN Price is ready to end his Betfred World Matchplay jinx thanks to advice from ex-England boss Sven Goran Eriksson.

The World Champ continues his bid for his first-ever win at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool against defending champion Dimitri Van den Bergh on Thursday night.

Price, 36, has suffered four first round exits at the Matchplay but after listening to Eriksson he will change his approach to win the £150,000 top prize.

He revealed: “I’ve approached the tournament wrong the last couple of years. I was watching a programme the other day with Sven Goran Eriksson, the ex-England manager. He just says that he keeps his professional life and his downtime and family life completely different. He never mixes anything.

“Obviously my girls finish school this Friday so they could come up like they do every year with my wife. But I think that’s where I’ve been going wrong. I’ve been doing things with the family and not really concentrating on darts. That’s why I think I’ve been going out first rounds.

“So this year’s a little different, the family isn’t coming. I’m going up there solely for work and work only. I’m going there to give it everything I’ve got.”

Price has once again been the victim of the boo-boys and called for more “respect” after his win over Jonny Clayton. 

But after England football players and F1 ace Lewis Hamilton suffered social media abuse, he once again called for a clampdown.

He added: “I’ve played through it before and if it comes again, I’ll try and play through it again.

“It’s pointless going on about social media hate because nothing ever gets done. There’s only one thing they can do and that’s make people put their passport or some sort of ID in before they sign up or register for any social media. Then they can be clamped down and people can be banned and can’t open a new one. Until they do that, there’s not much anyone else can do.”

Price missed the Premier League after a positive Covid-19 test but dismissed any talk that he needs to make a statement at the Matchplay with a victory.

He said: “I just want to go and win. I don’t think I need to prove anything anymore. What else have I got to prove?

“I’m World No.1 and World Champ so they’ve got a tough side of the draw, not me. I’m not worried who I play. I know if I bring my A game, they need to play their A-plus game to beat me. 

“If I’m on my A game I don’t think anyone can beat me at the moment.” 

Images by Taylor Lanning.

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