A fiery encounter at the UK Open saw darts players Charlie Manby and James Hurrell in a post-match confrontation that required a referee’s intervention. Manby secured a 6-4 victory, but the tension escalated immediately after his winning dart, fueled by Hurrell’s gestures during the final leg. Despite a handshake, Manby confronted Hurrell, leading to a brief squaring-up on stage. Manby later attributed the incident to the competitive nature of the sport, marking another dramatic moment in his rising career.
The Tense Final Leg and Hurrell’s Antics
The atmosphere at the UK Open in Minehead reached a boiling point during the third-round match between Charlie Manby and James Hurrell. What started as a competitive darts game quickly turned into one of the most talked-about incidents of the tournament, culminating in a referee stepping in to prevent further escalation.
The dramatic scenes unfolded in the closing moments of the match. As Charlie Manby, a rising star in the darts world, stepped up to throw his match-winning darts, his opponent, James Hurrell, began to display unusual behavior from the side of the stage. Hurrell was seen putting his fingers in his ears and making faces, seemingly in response to the excited crowd and the intense pressure of the final leg. These gestures continued even as the 20-year-old Manby aimed for the decisive double.
Manby successfully hit double four to seal a 6-4 victory. However, instead of the usual respectful conclusion, Hurrell continued his gestures and appeared to chuckle as Manby celebrated his win.
Post-Match Confrontation: Referee Steps In
While the two players did perform the traditional handshake, it was clear that Manby was not pleased with Hurrell’s actions. The Huddersfield thrower followed Hurrell towards the players’ table, and a heated exchange of words ensued. The situation quickly escalated as the pair briefly squared up on stage, prompting immediate intervention. A referee swiftly stepped between them, encouraging Manby to move away before the confrontation could worsen.
The crowd inside the venue loudly voiced their support for Manby, chanting his name as Hurrell exited the stage to a chorus of boos.
Manby’s Take: “Just Competitive Nature”
Speaking after the match, Charlie Manby downplayed the incident, suggesting it was simply part of the intense, competitive environment of darts. “I just don’t think he was happy with me giving it the biggun when there’s a lot riding on it,” Manby stated, referring to his celebration and Hurrell’s reaction. He also emphasized their existing friendship:
- “I am mates with Jammo, sat on his table for ProTours and get on really well with him.”
- “He were giving it to me back. That were it really.”
Manby further explained that emotions often run high when the stakes are significant. “If I want to give it the biggun, I’ll give it the biggun. There’s no restrictions to that,” he asserted, highlighting that both his and Hurrell’s fans also contribute to the charged atmosphere.
A Pattern of Drama for Manby?
This confrontation with Hurrell isn’t the first dramatic moment involving Charlie Manby this season. During his debut at the prestigious World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, Manby was involved in another memorable match against Scotland’s Cameron Menzies.
After that intense contest, Menzies repeatedly punched his table out of frustration, injuring his hand and creating chaotic scenes that stunned the audience. Compared to that incident, the clash with Hurrell at the UK Open might seem relatively minor. However, it undoubtedly added another layer of drama to an already exciting tournament.
As Manby himself suggested, such moments are often an unavoidable consequence when the pressure mounts on darts’ biggest stages. When players step up to the oche, even friendships can momentarily take a backseat to the fierce desire to win.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
