Josh Rock's Premier League Darts debut is proving a stern test, with the Northern Irishman suffering his fourth consecutive 6-2 defeat, this time at the hands of Gian van Veen in Belfast. Despite currently being world number nine, Rock has yet to register a point after four nights, leaving him bottom of the standings.
The home crowd in Belfast did witness a moment of magic from 'Rocky', however, as he threw a perfect nine-darter in his quarterfinal, sending the arena into raptures and earning a set of golden darts worth £30,000 from sponsor BetMGM. Yet analyst and former pro Wayne Mardle believes that single highlight cannot paper over the cracks. "The way he was playing just previously — I was saying he’s got no composure!" Mardle observed. "He can’t string two darts together, let alone three. Where has the big scoring gone?"
Mardle acknowledged the mental resilience required for Rock's perfect leg, noting he hadn't hit a 180 going into it. "To regain composure and do what he did was incredible. It was a wonderful leg of darts," he said. But the analyst emphasized the broader picture remains bleak: "But I am looking further ahead than that. He needs to start putting performances together. Family and friends will be amazed, but it was a fourth 6-2 defeat on the bounce. That is massive. They are hidings." Mardle added, "I just feel like there is so much more to come from Josh Rock. He needs to concentrate on that."
For his part, Rock took profound satisfaction from the nine-darter in front of his home fans, stating, "My body is in overdrive. I am shaking like a leaf. It was a dream come true." He was strikingly matter-of-fact about the loss, saying, "I don’t care with losing. Hitting a nine-darter in front of my home crowd is a massive achievement in my eyes. I don’t care if I never throw a nine-darter again, this is a dream come true." Rock now faces a new stern test in Cardiff during Night Five, where he is set to meet Luke Littler in the quarterfinals.
