Things got properly heated at the UK Open today when Charlie Manby and James Hurrell squared up following their third-round clash in Minehead.
The referee was forced to step in and physically separate the pair after Manby secured a 6-4 victory over his opponent at Butlin's Minehead Resort.
Both players had enjoyed impressive runs to the quarter-finals at this year's World Championship at Alexandra Palace, making this an intriguing early-round matchup in what's often called the FA Cup of darts.
But nobody expected the match to end with the two competitors going nose-to-nose in a tense exchange that lasted several minutes.
The trouble started when Manby stepped up to throw his final three darts to win the match.
James Hurrell stuck his fingers in his ears, appearing to frustrate his opponent Charlie Manby
|PDC
Hurrell decided to stick his fingers in his ears while pulling faces at his younger opponent – seemingly frustrated by the 20-year-old's enthusiastic celebrations towards his supporters throughout the contest.
When Manby landed double four to seal the win, the 41-year-old kept up his antics, grimacing and laughing as the crowd erupted.
It's thought Hurrell may have been wound up by the Minehead fans, many of whom were firmly behind Manby.
Whatever his reasoning, Champagne Charlie wasn't having any of it.
Needle on Board Seven! 👀
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 6, 2026
Charlie Manby wins a feisty affair against James Hurrell to book his spot in round four, averaging 99 in the process!
Live Scores & Streaming https://t.co/gFQK4rQ2wU#UKOpenDarts | R3 pic.twitter.com/4CbOh48EW8
The pair traded words as Manby collected his darts from the board, though it's difficult to make out exactly what was said in the footage.
Whatever comments were exchanged, it sparked an explosive reaction from both players as they got increasingly vocal and confrontational.
Fans in the outer arena – who are positioned close to the players – began chanting "Come on Charlie," which only seemed to wind Hurrell up even more.
As the Hillbilly left the stage to a chorus of boos and whistles, Manby turned back towards the crowd and pumped his fist defiantly, drawing massive cheers from the spectators.
Speaking after the match, Manby explained what had happened between the pair.
Charlie Manby and James Hurrell had to be pulled apart
|PDC
"I just don't think he was happy with me giving it the biggun when there's a lot riding on it," he said.
"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. There's no friends on the oche.
"If I want to give it the biggun, I'll give it the biggun. There's no restrictions to that."
The Huddersfield labourer now faces Ryan Joyce in the fourth round this evening.