Gerwyn Price loves a bit of animosity on the oche but on Thursday night, the anger was all coming from his side.
Price has grown accustomed to the boos that greet him at every appearance outside Wales and Thursday night was no different, when he was jeered as he made his way to the stage for his Premier League clash with James Wade.
Price was clearly irritated early on in the contest and appeared to accuse Wade, who has been involved in his fair share of controversy in the past, of encroaching while Price was preparing to throw.
But Wade had no interest in engaging in mind games with ‘The Iceman’ and unlike the back-and-forth between Price and Gary Anderson in last year’s Grand Slam of Darts final, the hostility was all one-way in Manchester on night 14 of the Premier League.
Price looked furious and rattled despite the fact that Wade was doing little wrong in terms of darting etiquette.
Wade would not rise to Price’s games and continued to just throw at an impressive rate, ultimately claiming a 8-4 victory over the divisive Welshman.
Wade wins it! 🤖
He beats Gerwyn Price 8-4 and the Welshman is not happy as he snubs Wade's handshake! ❌🤝 pic.twitter.com/gWGjnWZh8Y
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) May 2, 2019
After the match, Price refused Wade’s offer of a handshake on a couple occasions before storming off the stage in anger, much to the commentators’ confusion and the fans’ amusement.
Price was criticised for the lack of sportsmanship and while neither he nor Wade would consider themselves fan favourites, it was clear who viewers sided with on this occasion.
Lost all respect for Gerwyn Price. Refusing to shake hands? The man is a disgrace. #darts
— Lynnie Hampson (@LynnieH) May 2, 2019
https://twitter.com/lewiswe123/status/1124056578385227796
Odd behaviour from Gerwyn Price throughout that match! #LoveTheDarts
— Reece Hughes 🐝 (@TheMadMidlander) May 2, 2019
The @OfficialPDC have to look at gerwyn price again. Shithousery tactics. Baiting Wade. Fair play to James for ignoring him
— Kate hates fibro (@kateprewett) May 2, 2019
Elsewhere on the night, Derryman Daryl Gurney beat Michael van Gerwen for the third time running while Rob Cross and Mensur Suljovic enjoyed victories over Michael Smith and Peter Wright respectively.
