'I’m starting to be a proper dart player now' - Josh Rock takes positives despite another final loss

Josh Rock had to settle for second place again Sunday night, this time in the final of the Czech Darts Open. In an atmospheric PVA Expo in Prague, the 24-year-old Northern Irishman lost 8-5 to world champion Luke Humphries, completing his hat-trick in the Czech Republic. Nevertheless, Rock was particularly proud after a weekend in which he reached the final of a Euro Tour for the second week in a row.

Rock did not have a happy history in Prague, but proved otherwise this time. He beat three Dutchmen in succession to reach the final match. First was a 6-4 win over Michael van Gerwen, in which Rock posted a 103 average. Then he played his best match of the tournament by beating Jermaine Wattimena 6-1, despite the Dutchman himself posting an average of 107. Rock countered with a formidable 110 average and then qualified for the final via a 7-3 victory over Gian van Veen.

In the final match, Rock seemed to be on his way to a shock for a long time. He took a 3-1 lead and kept Humphries under pressure with an unparalleled 153 finish. But at 6-5 he missed three arrows to equalize, after which Humphries struck and secured the title. Afterwards, Rock showed realism, but also optimism. “Luke and I didn’t play to our full potential there,” he said. "I never had a good record here in Prague, but now I’ve improved on that, and I’m happy with the last two weekends I’ve had.

Last week in Antwerp, Rock also reached the final, but then lost dramatically 8-7 to Luke Littler but he sees the bright side. "It’s not every day you make back-to-back European Tour finals, and I’ll get another title soon.

“I’m starting to be a proper dart player now, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the year, so it's on to the next one!"