We're still not entirely sure how he managed to pull it off, but Josh Rock hit one of the strangest 180's in darts history during his Premier League clash with Michael van Gerwen.
Rock, who currently sits rock bottom of the Premier League table on eight points, suffered his first quarter-final defeat in five weeks on Thursday night as he fell to a 6-3 defeat against Van Gerwen.
The 25-year-old recorded a disappointing average of 91.89 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool after showing glimpses throughout.
In fact, at one stage, the Northern Irishman went six darts into a nine-darter but still managed to lose the leg to Van Gerwen – although a baffling moment with his sixth dart will live long in the memory.
Advert
Rock threw the dart and initially, it made its way into the 20 bed. However, the point bounced out of the board and somehow made it into the treble 20.
Wayne Mardle, who was on commentary duties for Sky Sports, was in utter disbelief. "OH, OHHH!" he screamed as Rock held his hands up to apologise for the lucky shot. "I've never seen the like!"
Here's how fans on social media reacted to the scenes in Liverpool.
One commented: "Honestly, I've watched this 20 times over now and I still don't know what happened. Insane," while another wrote: "Josh Rock just hit the craziest 180 I have ever seen wtaf!!!
A third said: "Josh Rock with the maddest 180 ever." and a fourth wrote: "Most mental 180 I’ve ever seen from Josh Rock." A fifth added: "What is this witchcraft?"
Van Gerwen recorded an average of 98.64 to secure his place in the semi-final against Luke Littler, but that moment of madness from Rock was by far the biggest talking point of the quarter-final match.
Back in February, Rock managed to hit one of the best nine-darters of all time on night four of the Premier League in Belfast.
After being drawn against World Championship finalist Gian van Veen in his quarter, 'Rocky' struggled through the opening legs as he looked to earn his first Premier League win of the season, and trailed 5-1 in a race to six.
That meant the Belfast crowd had little to shout about, although that all changed in leg seven.
Rock hit six perfect darts to leave a 141 finish – generally the preferred route for nine-darters – before pinning treble 20, treble 19 and then double 12 for perfection.
As you can see in the footage above, the Belfast crowd erupted, with Rock immediately charging towards the edge of the stage before leaping into the air.
Topics: Darts
Jack Kenmare