Darts star breaks little-known rule against Gerwyn Price as ref steps in | Other | Sport

Darts star Adam Gawlas received a stern warning from the referee during his Alexandra Palace defeat to Gerwyn Price. The Czech player was spotted by referee Kirk Bevans encroaching too close to the Welshman whilst he was taking his throw at the World Championship.

Surrounding the oche lies a green restricted area where the non-throwing player must remain beyond the boundary whilst their rival is at the board. Gawlas breached this regulation at the start of the third set against The Iceman, with the sharp-eyed official immediately noticing the infringement.

Bevans spotted the violation and promptly guided the Czech player back discreetly to prevent any recurrence.

Gawlas endured a torrid evening, managing only two legs in a comprehensive whitewash loss to the Welsh maestro, who has cautioned Luke Littler that nothing will halt his title charge.

Price was delighted with his display and appreciative of the backing from the 3,500-strong crowd who roared their support throughout.

It marks a dramatic transformation from previous years when he was cast as the pantomime villain on every stage he appeared, and he beamed: “I played a pretty decent game, but I don’t usually get this, so thanks very much. The fans have been great for me the last 18 months to two years and to come here and get that support and hear them chant my name.

“I played pretty decent, I think, in that game. Apart from the two legs I gave away, I thought I was alright. I needed to improve to win this tournament, but for the first round game, that was a game.

“The first round was always difficult. To play someone like Adam, he’s slow. It’s hard work to get your pace and get rhythm and get some flow into the game.

“So every pitch I was going I was like restart, restart, restart. It was just a win, get through this round. A couple of days at home, back up here next Sunday and, hopefully, the crowd are as good as they were tonight.”

Price is focused on securing his second Sid Waddell Trophy, stating that it’s the glory, not the £1million winners’ cheque, that motivates him.

He said: “Honestly, if I win the million, it’s not going to change my life. I want to win trophies, I want to be back in the top four in the world and where I deserve. As long as these [crowd] are like what they are for me, I think I can win anything. So, yeah, thank you very much.”