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The Friendly Ferret? Yes . . . But Who Knew The Ice Man Was The Nice Man?

Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton did themselves proud at the moment of their defeat. Pic: Alamy

Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton did themselves proud at the moment of their defeat. Pic: Alamy

Sometimes you can judge the character of sports stars by the way they react to defeat and such a moment came on Sunday night, as Ian Mitchelmore reports.

134, 180, 171, 16.

While most would succumb under the intense pressure of a deciding leg in a final, Northern Ireland did more than just hold their nerve.

Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney delivered a leg for the ages, hitting an 11-darter in the final leg of the tournament to clinch a 10-9 victory over Wales and get their hands on the World Cup of Darts for the first time in their history.

It typified what was a sublime display from the Northern Irish duo, although the Welsh pair of Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton more than played their part in what was an epic contest in Frankfurt.

Price and Gurney had been embroiled in something of a roar-a-thon on the Eissporthalle stage.

The sublime Rock - who hit a staggering nine 180s, two more than the other three players combined - was certainly not reserved, either, when it came to celebrating the key moments, understandably given that he personally averaged a whopping 107.88. 

All the while, Pontyberem's Clayton was his usual affable self.

But the moment 2017 World Grand Prix champion and 2018 Players Championship Finals winner Gurney pinned double eight at the second attempt, the reactions of all four players told a story.

Having initially bolted to opposite ends of the oche, Gurney and Rock swiftly embraced before crumbling to their knees as their eyes welled up - with the magnitude of their achievements rapidly hitting home.

And Team Wales showed their true class. Price and Clayton both placed their darts on the table and applauded their conquerors, while smiling throughout.

READ MORE: Jonny Clayton And Gerwyn Price Are Out To Nuke The Lukes!

Such was the prolonged embrace between those in green, the Welsh pair grabbed their opponents to deliver their congratulations and revel in a moment they themselves have experienced, in 2020 and 2023.

Summing up the gesture, Derry-born Gurney said: "I would like to congratulate Wales, it shows the class of the Welsh team to stay on stage and congratulate us. "Jonny and Gezzy are legends of the game, I think they'll go on and win big titles this year."

It came just 24 hours after Luke Littler swiftly left the same stage after overwhelming favourites England were shocked by hosts Germany in the last-16.

It should be said, reigning world champion Littler did indeed shake the hands of his opponents, Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko, along with those of the officials before racing off stage - although his partner, world number one Luke Humphries, remained on stage to fully congratulate the German duo.

Price's struggles with heckling and crowd abuse ever since his maiden Grand Slam victory over Gary Anderson in 2018 have long been documented.

But the 40-year-old has become increasingly appreciated again, with Price often acknowledging those in attendance at events for their affection, particularly when his name is chanted to the tune of KC and The Sunshine Band's 1982 hit Give It Up.

READ MORE: Gerwyn Price And Jonny Clayton Reflect On Heart-Breaking Defeat As Northern Ireland Make World Cup Of Darts History

In the heat of the moment, the 2025 World Cup final was nothing short of an absolute blockbuster. But when all was said and done, true sportsmanship was shown.

"We gave it our all, but congratulations to those two [Rock and Gurney]," said Clayton. 

"To be fair to Josh and Daryl, they flew out the blocks in the last leg."

Clayton again showed his class in defeat, but he reserved special praise for the man who he has partnered to World Cup glory on two occasions. 

 "Gezzy is a class act, I'm a proud man to have a team-mate like him," concluded Clayton, who will share the £50,000 runner-up prize pot with his compatriot.

And Price himself?
"Testament to the Northern Irish team, Josh's scoring was unbelievable and we couldn't keep up with them," said the former world champion.

"At 9-9 we gave ourselves a chance but they were a bit better than us and they deserve it."

They may not have won the event on this occasion, but in Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, Wales continues to boast two magnificent darting ambassadors for the country.

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