‘Special feeling’ as Rock hits Belfast nine-darter

Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock says it was a “special” feeling to hit his first Premier League nine-darter at Belfast’s SSE Arena on Thursday.

The 24-year-old from Broughshane in County Antrim lost his quarter-final 6-2 to Gian van Veen of the Netherlands – who was beaten by Stephen Bunting in the final – but picked up a set of 18ct gold darts worth £30,000 for his perfect leg.

It was the 22nd nine-darter in the competition’s history and Rock said achieving the feat more than made up for his exit on the night.

“Being from Northern Ireland and hitting a nine-darter in front of Belfast is phenomenal,” Rock told BBC Sport NI’s Thomas Kane.

“My consistency in the Premier League is good but tonight, the 6-2 (defeat) I don’t even care. I’ve hit a nine-darter in front of my home crowd and enjoyed that even more.

“When it [ninth dart] left my hand and the double 12 went in, I just thought ‘I’ve hit a nine-darter in Belfast’. My body is still shaking; I had to shake my shoulders to calm myself down, but I’m buzzing.

“Nine-darters don’t come around too often, but to hit one in the Premier League in Belfast – what a feeling.”

Rock is without a win in his Premier League debut season, losing 6-2 in each of his four matches and admitted he was feeling the pressure in front of his home fans.

However, he is hopeful his nine-darter in Belfast can act as a catalyst for the rest of the season.

“I hope this gives me the belief to push on for the rest of the Premier League,” he added.

“I know what I can do and tonight, I didn’t feel the pressure, but when I stood on that stage I felt added pressure and just wanted to perform. When I hit the first 180 and second 180, I just thought ‘please hit this for everybody’, and I did.