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Markham’s darts star Gerwyn Price has announced he is returning to rugby to play for his local team – Bedwellty RFC.
The club was formed in 2021 when local rivals Aberbargoed RFC and Markham RFC joined forces to save rugby in their communities, with both clubs on the brink of post-Covid collapse.
With both sides experiencing dwindling numbers after an 18-month break, Aberbargoed’s long-serving secretary, Jayne Edwards, took it upon herself to contact arch-rivals Markham in an attempt to create one superclub – Bedwellty RFC.
Now, the club will be buoyed by the arrival of 2021 PDC world champion Price, 37, who will play “one or two” games a month for the side alongside his busy darts schedule.
The former world number one was a talented rugby hooker before switching to darts full time in 2014.
During his rugby days, he represented Cross Keys and Neath in the WRU Premiership, and had a brief spell in the Pro12 with Glasgow Warriors. He also had a stint in rugby league with South Wales Scorpions.
He told BBC Sport Wales: “I’m on the road constantly so it’s nice to take some time out and I’m going to put the property business on the back burner for a bit as it’s a little bit stressful.
“So I’ll chill out when I’m home and hopefully enjoy one or two games of rugby, which I do really miss. I’m looking forward to it.”
Price, now world number four, was speaking ahead of the Bahrain Darts Masters, which gets underway on Thursday, January 12.
Price takes on 68-year-old Paul Lim of Singapore in the first round of the competition.
It will be Price’s first outing since his quarter-final exit at the World Championships on New Year’s Day.
During that defeat, Price, who often receives abuse and jeers from darts spectators, caused a stir when he sported noise-cancelling ear defenders during the fifth set – later switching to ear plugs.
He later posted on Instagram saying he might not play in the competition again.
He said: “So frustrating you play all year round preparing for this one tournament. So gutted I wasn’t let play but good luck everyone left in.”
He has since deleted all of his Instagram posts – but told BBC Sport Wales he was still unsure about his future in the competition.
He said: “If I’m going to go out of the tournament in the quarter-finals or last 16, it’s pointless me even turning up. If I can do well all year and if I can win a couple of majors, then I don’t have to go, you never know.”
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