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Welshman Gerwyn Price is ready for the biggest match of his professional darts career.
The former Neath and Cross Keys rugby union hooker has stormed through two rounds at the William Hill World Darts Championships and now plays reigning title holder Michael Van Gerwen.
Price, from the village of Markham in Caerphilly Borough, will try to relax over Christmas before taking on the Dutch ace at Alexandra Palace next Wednesday.
It is the first time Price, who defeated Ian White 4-1 in the last round, has qualified for the last 16.
He opened with a 15-darter against White and posted a 114 on his way to winning the opening set and maintained the pressure to come out on top.
Price scored seven 180s, but admitted: “I started slowly and Ian was out of blocks fast.
“I had to dig win and got through it, winning the first set and putting him under pressure on his throw.
“My scoring was average, certainly not as good as in my previous game, but my checking out was decent.
“I’ve bombed out in the first round for the last three years and it feels good to have come through these first two rounds.
“I didn’t play so well against Ian, but it was just about getting through the game and I did that.
“It’s a big task in front of me now, but I am relishing the challenge.”
Van Gerwen swept to a World Championship whitewash of James Wilson in his second round match.
Reigning champion Van Gerwen won 12 straight legs with a whopping 108.65 average in the display of the tournament so far.
“I did everything right at the right moments, hitting 140 or a 180,” said Van Gerwen.
“It’s all about not making mistakes and I’ve not been making them for some time now. Hopefully I can play like that for the rest of the tournament.
“I’m going to have a happy Christmas now and prepare myself for the last 16. I feel good.”
Price, aged 32, is nicknamed the Ice Man and his walk-on music is Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice.
He started playing darts for his local team Markham Welfare seven years ago before stepping up to Super League Aberbargoed.
The man from Markham ended his rugby career in 2014 to concentrate on darts full-time.
He had shone for Cross Keys RFC, scoring a stunning 30 metres try when they lifted the Swalec Cup and reached the final of the British and Irish Cup, losing to Munster A in Cork during 2012.
His life changed after friends started a Friday night darts league in Markham and Price says: “I started to play okay and was asked to play in the Super League.
“My average points per throw went up and I was winning 90 per cent of local tournaments.
“I was invited to darts’ qualifying school and was lucky enough to qualify and win my tour card.
“Darts is good because it’s an individual sport. If you have the talent, it’s down to you.”
The hand to eye coordination he developed while throwing into a rugby line-out has helped him on the Oche.
He practices three hours a day outside of tournaments and says: “Playing with these guys week-in, week-out and knowing you can beat them breeds confidence.
“Every player needs that in this game. Everybody has the talent, but you need that two percent upstairs. When you have that it’s a much easier game.”
There are two other Welsh players among the World’s leading players with Mark Webster ranked 30, one place ahead of Jonny Clayton.
Webster, aged 34, is a former plumber from St Asaph who now plays darts full-time, while 43-year-old Clayton, a plasterer by trade, is from Pontyberem in Carmarthenshire.
The World Championship final is on Monday, January (8pm).
World darts rankings: 1 Michael Van Gerwen (Holland), 2 Peter Wright (Scotland), 3 Gary Anderson (Scotland), 4 Daryl Gurney (England), 5 Mensu Suljovic (Austria), 6 Phil Taylor (England), 7 Adrian Lewis (England), 8 Dave Chisnall (England), 9 Raymond van Barneveld (Holland), 10 Simon Whitlock (Australia), 11 James Wade (England), 12 Jelle Klaasen (Holland), 13 Michael Smith (England), 14 Benito van de Pas (Holland), 15 Alan Norris (England), 16 Gerwyn Price (Wales), 17 Ian White (England), 18 Kim Huybrechts (Belgium), 19 Joe Cullen (England), 20 Rob Cross (England).
