Josh Rock and Luke Littler survive in World Matchplay comeback epics as Gerwyn Price sends out statement of intent

Josh Rock has taken down the three-time World Matchplay champion Michael van Gerwen in a night of comeback epics as Luke Littler also had to survive an almighty scare against Jermaine Wattimena.

While Gerwyn Price and Andrew Gilding both sent out statements of intent in their victories. Price in particular came close to breaking the average record.

Rock concluded the night and was favourite for the tie against MVG and it seemed to be that he folded under the pressure initially. MVG led for the most part as he brought his top game amid recent darting struggles. But it went to a dramatic tie-break as 'Rocky' prevailed with the last knockout blow.

Van Gerwen opened with a statement 150 checkout after Rock made a slow start. A 95 checkout saw MVG hold for 2-0. A 171 from MVG left 97 as he was taking it to a poor Rock.

Rock couldn’t get near 144. Van Gerwen hit double 10 for 3-0. Rock finally got on the board pinning 103 to break back and go 3-1 down. Van Gerwen went five into a nine-dart finish in riposte. He hit 174 to leave double four and pinned it for 4-1.

Van Gerwen continued to give no crumbs holding for 5-1. Rock was in crisis mode as he couldn’t even hold his throw but Van Gerwen missed a golden chance for 6-1 and Rock despite chasing around finally made it 5-2.

Rock broke for 5-3 down. He was 6-4 down from there in a much better session but he still needed the spark as MVG motored closer. One he found with a 72 checkout to hold for 6-5 but he still needed a break. One he couldn’t find as MVG went 7-5 up with a hold.

Rock closed in on a break but MVG said shut the door as he hit 86 on double 16 for 8-6. Rock missed bull for an 86 checkout. MVG zoned in on 130 but missed double five.

But Rock missed two more darts and MVG pinned double one for 9-6. Rock couldn’t get a shot at 130 but MVG handed a freebie as Rock hit double 20 to break finally on double five at 9-7. Rock though superbly hit 152 to go within one. He made it 9-9 and was suddenly throwing to go one away.

A 138 checkout saw Van Gerwen take it to a tie-break. Rock missed 64 but returned to go one away at 11-10. Van Gerwen missed 73 but Rock couldn’t hit 170. Van Gerwen zoned in but he missed two darts. Rock missed a match dart. His head got scrambled on 83 but he still returned for double 20. Only to miss again and he opened the door for MVG. Only for him to bump his head off said door.

Rock hit double five for 12-11. Rock teed up 52 with Van Gerwen way back. He pinned double 16 for an epic win.

Littler breathes sigh of relief

This came after some late night antics also came from Luke Littler who was also behind for the most part against Jermaine Wattimena.

Even when he came back, he was sent to a tie-break but the Dutchman lacked that killer blow to slay the World Champion who now faces Andrew Gilding.

Littler missed darts to hold and Wattimena broke on double four and followed it up with a hold of throw to make it 2-0.

A 65 checkout saw Wattimena break for 3-0. He held for 4-0. Littler missed bull for a 130 but Wattimena missed 108 on double 16 and Littler returned only to miss two more darts. Only for the Dutchman to give him more free hits which he took for 4-2.

Wattimena hit double 20 to make it 5-2 and break back. A 97 checkout saw Wattimena make it 6-2. Wattimena went seven darts into a nine-dart finish but he produced an 11-darter on double 16 at 7-2. A 62 checkout saw Littler break back at the break at 7-3 down. Littler broke again for 7-5. Littler hit double 10 for 7-7.