Regardless of what transpired on the oche, Saturday night’s World Grand Prix Final was always going to be a fascinating affair. Not only because featured two Welsh players, but, even more so, it pitted two players who not all that long ago combined to take the darting World Cup back to Wales.
Meaning that, in terms of their actual individual games, there was nothing one wouldn’t have known about the other. So, to this observer at least, it was always going to be decided by which of them held their heads the best on what was a very unusual but special occasion. Under normal circumstances, there wouldn’t have need to be a discussion about such a matter because Clayton is a completely different character to Price. But on an occasion such as this, normalcy can often go out the window.
To a certain extent, it did in this instance. In fact, you’d be inclined to think it began the night before, because Price was absolutely not himself in the semi final against Stephen Bunting. Though tonight he he looked even more out of sorts.
Clayton has been playing to a higher level in the last week than this observer has ever witnessed. Exhibit A for proving as such went as follows tonight – Price hits a 164 and seems locked on to pin the leg down, only for Clayton to follow immediately thereafter by rattling in the third 170 finish of the week.
That was only one of five 100+ finishes The Ferret dug out for himself as he chalked up his first ranking TV title. Moving him even further up the PDC rankings as the business end of the darts season approaches.
As for Price, you’d be hoping whatever is presently ailing him – be it physical or otherwise – you’d be hoping it can be remedied sooner rather than later. For, no matter what one might think of the former rugby player in some ways, that he is elitely talented once he stands up before a dart board is beyond question.
Such is the amount of talent in the game presently, there will be plenty lining up to assume his position if there’s the slightest chink in his game. Thus, even the iminent onset of winter leaves me upset and a little terrified – this year more than ever – taking in the tungsten trials and tribulations should be an entertaining distraction.
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