From the rugby field to the oche - Gerwyn Price aiming to take second chance

Matt Jones - Editor 14:46 24/05/2017
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  • Gerwyn Price.

    Gerwyn Price was a promising rugby player but admitted he failed to fulfill his true potential due to immaturity. A talent for darts has given him a “second chance” though and it is one he is determined to grasp.

    Price only began playing in Friday night leagues with his mates socially, but the 32-year-old quickly realised he had something special. He entered and won several tournaments before being encouraged by fellow Welshman and darts player Barrie Bates to enter the Professional Darts Corporation’s (PDC) Qualifying School.

    He did so in January 2014 and victory over Austrian Rowby-John Rodriguez in just his second event earned him a two-year tour card.

    Since then his career has arrowed upwards, so much so that he is now ranked 17th in the world.

    In March he finished runner-up at the UK Open to Peter Wright – with the pair two of the stars on show at the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters

    Which gets underway today.

    Not too many people are talented enough to excel in multiple sports. Not many people get a second chance either, and Price is glad he finally decided to harness his potential.

    “I always played rugby and had the potential to probably go on and do better things in rugby and didn’t fulfil my potential, but that was my own fault,” said the Markham man who played for South Wales sides Neath and Cross Keys and even had a short stint at Glasgow Warriors.

    “I wasn’t very professional. I was young and immature and missed the boat, but I’ve got a second chance now here playing darts and I’m not going to make the same mistake again.

    “I’ve got to be professional, on my game and put the practice, effort and hours in and learn from past experiences, it doesn’t come easy.

    “I was a fool to myself over the years. I didn’t take it that seriously but I think I’m a lot more dedicated now and rewards have come off the back of that.”

    Price, a hooker in his rugby days, certainly has a rugby player’s build. Reflecting on his switch of career he said: “My mates started a Friday night league and I thought I’d have a crack. I thought ‘I’m pretty good at this’. I started going to local opens and winning a few.

    “I found a set of darts I bought for £12 and got used to those. I was always a good scorer but kept missing chances on doubles. With these new darts I seemed to go to a new level.

    “I met Barry Bates along the way and he told me to give pro a crack, go to Qualifying School. I put it off for two or three years but took the plunge and I’m here now.

    “I always used to love watching darts. I always used to watch Phil (Taylor) as a kid, when I was playing rugby. I always used to imagine being on that stage and doing something like that. I’m finally doing it.

    “I always thought if I had a talent like that I’d put the practice in and the hours. Which I’m doing now and it’s paying dividends.

    “I’ve just got short term goals at the moment. To be in the top 16 and perform well in the TV events leading up to the World Championships because I’ve had three dreadful years of bombing out in the first round. Maybe over the next two or three years I can fight for a top 10 place, be on the regular circuit with these guys.”

    Among a field of veterans and stars, Price is the odd man out in Dubai. But he’s hoping a decent Dubai performance can keep his fledgling career ticking along.

    “I have 100 per cent belief in my ability but it’s just the consistency that’s lacking,” added Price, who can further enhance his reputation if he beats woefully out of form James Wade in his quarter-final tonight.

    “If I can improve that then I’ll slide up the rankings a bit more over the long term. Victory here could work wonders for the career. I didn’t expect to be here this weekend but I had a good run in the UK Open, got to the final.

    “Off the back of that I’m out here so if I can win this weekend something big could come off the back of it. I just need to keep on my toes and perform the best I can in every game.”

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