Josh Rock admitted it was a ‘dream come true’ to produce a nine-darter on home soil in Belfast on Night Four of the BetMGM Premier League. Rock received an incredible ovation on his debut at the SSE Arena, and he sent his home crowd into raptures with a nine-dart finish in the penultimate leg of […]
Josh Rock admitted it was a ‘dream come true’ to produce a nine-darter on home soil in Belfast on Night Four of the BetMGM Premier League.
Rock received an incredible ovation on his debut at the SSE Arena, and he sent his home crowd into raptures with a nine-dart finish in the penultimate leg of his quarter-final clash against Gian van Veen.
The Northern Irishman was beaten 6-2 by the Dutch number one, but he etched his name into the history books by delivering one of the most memorable moments in Premier League history.
“My body is in overdrive. I’m standing here now shaking like a leaf,” reflected Rock, speaking post-match.
“This is a dream come true. I said if I ever play in the Premier League, I would love to hit a nine-darter in Belfast.
“I’m consistent in losing 6-2, but to hit a nine-darter in front of my home crowd is a massive, massive achievement in my eyes.
“Double 12 hasn’t been good to me the last six months, so when the treble 20 and treble 19 went in, I thought, please go in!
“When it went in, I couldn’t hold the celebrations back in front of my home crowd… wow! Gian was buzzing too!
“I honestly don’t care if I never hit a nine-darter in my life again!”
Title sponsor BetMGM are once again rewarding any player who hits a nine-darter during this year’s BetMGM Premier League with a custom-made set of solid gold darts, worth £30,000.
Rock was presented with his gold darts post-match, capping off a night to remember for the County Antrim star – despite the result.
“Those golden darts will be in my cabinet forever, knowing that I’ve hit a nine-darter in front of my home crowd,” added the reigning World Cup champion.
“The first time I was ever here I watched Adrian Lewis hit a nine-darter against James Wade, and now the first time I’ve ever played in Belfast I’ve hit a nine-darter!
“I can’t even explain the way I feel at the moment, honestly.
“It’s obviously nice to be one of the players to hit a nine-darter in the Premier League, but it’s even more special now it’s in Belfast.”
Rock will return to Premier League action in Cardiff next Thursday, as he aims to register his first points of the season when he takes on World Champion Luke Littler at the Utilita Arena.