HE COULD have been running at a raucous Rodney Parade but instead Gerwyn Price will enter a jam-packed Alexandra Palace to the sound of Vanilla Ice on Friday night.

The 29-year-old from Markham has qualified for the William Hill World Darts Championship where he will lock horns with Peter Wright, the world number five who was runner-up last year.

It promises to be a memorable night whatever the outcome for ‘Iceman’ Price, who has recently hung up his boots with Neath in favour of life at the oche.

The former hooker has been one of the top performers in the Principality Premiership in recent seasons and his exploits with Cross Keys led to a clamour for him to be given a shot by Newport Gwent Dragons.

In the end Price earned a short-term deal with Glasgow and made two appearances for them, including a 60-3 hammering of the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

“Sometimes things just happen for a reason,” said Price. “I didn’t get a Dragons contract and that was gutting but if that had happened then I wouldn’t be here now.

“At the time I would have loved a professional deal but I wouldn’t swap what I’ve done in darts for anything.

“The place is going to be buzzing on Friday and I can’t wait. I was going into the unknown when I competed in Dusseldorf (at the European Darts Open) in front of a big crowd but Ally Pally will be another level.”

But Price isn’t just heading to London for one night to remember.

Wright may boast a wealth of experience at the top level but the former front row forward has enjoyed a fine debut season, ending 39th on the order of merit thanks to reaching two quarter-finals and a semi-final.

“The crowd won’t be expecting me to win but I’m not going there just to make up the numbers,” said Price, who has been practicing with former World Championship quarter-finalist Barrie Bates in Bedwellty.

“All the pressure is on him and anybody can beat anybody on the day. In the last three months or so I have been playing well, before I was losing 6-5 but now I am beating the likes of Gary Anderson and Terry Jenkins. It’s all on the day and reputations count for nothing.”