Price beats Gurney as tempers flare in fiery match

Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney shared a robust handshake after their match in Blackpool

Gerwyn Price overcame Daryl Gurney in a fiery encounter at the World Matchplay in Blackpool.

Welshman Price defeated Northern Ireland's Gurney 10-7 and the pair were then involved in a heated exchange at the end of the match.

Price, the 2021 world champion, appeared to take issue with Gurney mocking his passionate victory celebration, aggressively shaking his hand before the players exchanged animated words.

Meanwhile, three-time winner Michael van Gerwen reached the second round despite a below-par display against Raymond van Barneveld.

Gurney's compatriot Josh Rock hit a 104.32 average and a 167 checkout in a 10-5 win over 14th seed Ross Smith while English sixth seed Chris Dobey will face Price next after defeating Germany's Ricardo Pietreczko by the same scoreline.

Tensions between Gurney and Price appeared to begin when the Northern Irishman appeared to mutter an expletive to himself as the two players prepared to walk off the stage for the second break.

The pair had previously clashed in 2019 when they had to be separated by security after a Premier League match in Sheffield.

Price - who has lost weight as part of a fitness regime - refused to be drawn on the latest bust-up, although did post on Instagram: "Have to be careful these days, I'm down to light-cruiserweight."

He defied a spectacular 150 checkout from Gurney with back-to-back legs of 11 and 14 darts to wrap up his victory.

"I felt like I really struggled up there, but I still played pretty well," said the Welshman, who averaged 100.21 and hit six 180s.

"Getting through the first round is always tough for me, but when I do then I'm dangerous.

"There's a lot more in the tank which is good, and I feel like I've got so much more to give in this tournament."

Van Gerwen edges out Van Barneveld

Michael van Gerwen won the World Matchplay in 2015, 2016 and 2022

Van Gerwen said he "made things difficult for himself" before eventually seeing off fellow Dutchman Van Barneveld 10-6 in an error-strewn match at the Winter Gardens.

Van Barneveld, runner-up in 2010, led 4-3 before the world number three fought back.

"Raymond didn't play his A-game, but I was more annoyed with my own game because I know I could do better," Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.

"This is a tournament I love to play. I have won it three times. It is always an intense crowd. Everything is perfect. But when you don't play perfect it is really annoying.

"We all know I am a winner. I don't like losing. But maybe this is the start of something really nice."