Gerwyn Price was beaten by Luke Littler in the Premier League Darts semi-finals and was forced to apologise to the world champion during the match
Gerwyn Price conceded he wasn’t sharp enough as he released a statement on his defeat to Luke Littler having had to apologise to the youngster. The Ice Man dropped a deciding leg to fall to the Nuke in the semi-finals of Premier League Darts for the second consecutive year and has turned to social media to share his thoughts.
On Instagram, Price said: “Oh well, on we go, not sharp enough when it mattered, tough long campaign this year but enjoyed every minute. Thanks everyone once again for showing me the utmost respect and support all the way through. Week off then back on the wagon we go.”
The Nuke edged past The Iceman in a 10-9 epic but the reigning world champion was left irritated by his rival’s behaviour. Price was compelled to apologise to Littler during the Premier League Darts semi-final, after celebrating while the teenager had already begun the following leg, reports the Express.
In the 15th leg, Price finished 170 – the maximum possible checkout in darts – celebrating by mimicking reeling in a big fish to mark the checkout. However, Littler had already commenced the next leg and voiced his displeasure to referee Huw Ware when removing his darts from the board.
Ware cautioned Price at the end of the leg, with the Welshman offering an apology before approaching Littler for words and an embrace as play resumed. The 41-year-old found himself trailing 9-5 and would rally from 9-4 behind to draw level at 9-9. Nevertheless, Littler would claim the decisive leg, defeating Price in the semi-finals for the second consecutive year.
Littler’s victory over Price arranged a showdown with rival Luke Humphries in the final, who had overcome Jonny Clayton in his own final-leg thriller. The defending world champion secured his revenge after Humphries triumphed 12 months earlier, claiming another nail-biting finish after both players squandered match darts.
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Littler was overcome with emotion following his triumph over Humphries and disclosed in his post-match interview that he had confided in his partner, Faith Millar, about wanting to abandon the sport.
“It was a rollercoaster first four weeks, bottom of the table, but then the fifth night I won my first night,” he said. “I had to pick myself up, some tough times. “I think I had a 79 average in Brighton or something like that and it was tough. But I am here with the trophy.
“After Brighton and the incident in Manchester, I was sat at home saying to Faith: ‘I don’t want to do it anymore, just the crowd every week’. I said to her ‘I’m down bad’.”
The incident in Manchester related to a confrontation with Gian van Veen, the World Championships runner-up.
Littler seemed to aim a gesture at the Dutchman after he failed to hit double 15 to wrap up the win, drawing criticism from darts supporters for his actions.