PRICE NOT RIGHT
Gerwyn Price OUT of World Darts Championship after throwing away early lead in defeat to Chris Dobey
The former World No1 was many people's favourite for the tie
CHRIS DOBEY ignored Gerwyn Price’s gamesmanship antics as he moved into the semi-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship for the first time.
The Bedlington battler, 34, came from two sets down and prevailed 5-3 against the Iceman with an average of 95.83.
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Despite missing five match darts, Dobey kept his cool in set eight as Price engaged with the crowd and started to react with the fancy-dress brigade on the first day of the New Year.
After winning the penultimate leg of a dramatic set seven, Price stood with his arms out wide and gave it large to the crowd – and this delayed Dobey who was then throwing for the victory.
This was an attempt to get fans involved and unsettle the Newcastle star in a last throw of the dice.
When he claimed the seventh set, to close the deficit to 4-3, the Welshman started dancing on stage and pumping his fists.
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Dobey, the No.15 seed, would have had memories of his collapse exactly 12 months to the day when he was 4-0 up against Rob Cross but some contrived to lose 5-4.
That is considered the biggest turnaround in the history of the World Darts Championship.
Yet there was no Dobey deja vu as he prevailed with two double 18s on a 92 finish.
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As the crowd sang his name, Dobey said: “Where does this rank in my career? It’s definitely at the top.
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“Getting over the defeat last year and getting over the line this year, it means a lot.
“Once again, the fans have been fantastic.
"I have never been so nervous throwing at a winning double than I have today.
“Honestly, I am just pleased I grinded it back and got the win.
“Honestly, it reminded me of exactly the same as last year against Rob Cross.
"I thought, ‘Just keep going, you will get another chance.’
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";Luckily, I got over the line. I am overwhelmed.
“When I get my first dart to sit, I think I will be alright. My first dart wasn’t sitting in the first two sets.
"He played brilliantly. He didn’t give it as much as I thought he would.
“That might have helped me as well. Yeah, I am buzzing to get that win.
"Once again, I probably wouldn’t have done it with these guys.
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“That double 18 finish – I do those types of shots in practice.
"When they come off in big moments, it’s brilliant. I have done that a few times.”
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