Gerwyn Price beats fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton to win NZ Masters title

Gerwyn Price is a former professional rugby player

Gerwyn Price beat fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton 8-4 to win the NZ Darts Masters title in Hamilton.

Clayton had beaten defending champion Michael van Gerwen on his way to the final, but Price took the £20,000 winner's prize.

For world number one Price it was a first World Series triumph down under.

He took six straight legs against the world number seven on his way to the title having beaten Dimitri Van den Bergh 7-4 in the semis.

After seeing off Van Gerwen, 6-3, Clayton triumphed 7-5 against Michael Smith in the last four.

But Clayton could not repeat his success of the previous weekend at the New South Wales Darts Masters.

Price said: "Fair play to Jonny. I think he upped his game in the final, but thankfully I improved after the break and showed why I'm world number one.

"I think I was quite fortunate to win the last leg before the break, and I knew if I upped my scoring game I would have a chance."

Clayton added: "Fair play to Gerwyn. He came out of the blocks after the break and I can have no complaints. He was fantastic.

"I have loved every second of my time in New Zealand. We had two Welshmen in the final and I thoroughly enjoyed it."