Josh Rock nails unbelievable residence nine-darter as Belfast left ‘in a frenzy’
An emotional Josh Rock has hit the first Premier League nine-darter of the season on home soil in Belfast.
Rocky, who is making his debut in the Prem, was experiencing his first home crowd in Northern Ireland as he clashed with Gian van Veen. The Dutchman, who is playing the best darts of his career, was in the driving seat when Rock pulled out the magical moment.
After two maximum visits, the Belfast crowd rose in expectation as Rocky toed the oche. And after hitting D12, the crowd exploded and the roof almost came off as Rocky was almost in tears.
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Speaking on Sky Sports, Wayne Mardle said: “Someone explain to me how that just happened! Rock was looking all over the place, looked a beaten man. Then perfection. Take nothing for granted in darts. How amazing!”
While Laura Turner added: “We know it is all about the points but to hit a nine-darter in front of a home crowd in Belfast… the noise was unbelievable when he hit the double.
“Nines don’t win you matches but it was a special moment.”
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“All time moment if you just get rid of the legs won column on the bottom right of the screen,” one fan said on social media.
“Getting the nine-darter in the rare darts visits to your own country is better than winning the night,” a second said. And another added: “A moment that’ll last a lifetime. Absolutely brilliant. Simply special!”
It’s the fourth nine that has been hit during the Premier League’s visits to Belfast – with Phil Taylor nailing the first before Gerwyn Price hit two.
Speaking ahead of the evening Rock said: “I’m massively excited. This is the one out of all the Premier League nights that I’m really looking forward to.
“We haven’t had anyone from Northern Ireland playing in the Premier League since Daryl [Gurney] in 2020, so it will be good to have somebody back on home turf!
“I don’t think there’s any added pressure. Hopefully I will enjoy it a little bit more because my friends and family will be there supporting me.
“It will probably be tough for Gian because I think the Belfast crowd will be against him, but I think he’ll still cope with it okay, so the best player on the night is going to win.”
