Joyous Josh Rock Triumphs on Pro Tour

EMOTIONAL Josh Rock picked up his 1st ranking title this weekend at PC28.

The youngster picked up his 1st PDC ranking title on Sunday, after defeating Luke Humphries 8-5 in the final of Players Championship 28, as the Pro Tour weekend came to a close at Barnsley Metrodome.

Rock, who lost out in the final of Thursday’s PC25, went a step further on Sunday, as he reached the final by recording victories over Andy Boulton, Pete Burgoyne, Jeff Smith, Jim Williams, Adrian Lewis and Damon Heta, to set up a clash with Luke Humphries.

The final began with Rock racing into a 2-0 lead, winning legs in 14 and 13 darts respectively, before Humphries fought back by winning back-to-back legs to level the tie at 2-2. The pair then held throw for the following three legs, before Rock broke Humphries’ throw in Leg 8 to move 5-3 ahead. The tie then saw four straight breaks of throw, which was ended with Rock sealing victory in Leg 13 with a 14 darter to pick up a 1st ranking title, ahead of making his TV debut at next week’s European Championship.

Humphries’ run to yet another ranking final saw him record victories over Maik Kuivenhoven, Jose Justicia, Niels Zonneveld, Chris Dobey, Max Hopp and Ricardo Pietreczko, before being denied by a relentless display from Rock.

Elsewhere, there were Quarter Final runs from Dirk Van Duijvenbode and Ross Smith, with the likes of Peter Wright, Dimitri Van den Bergh and Thursday’s PC25 winner Dave Chisnall all suffering early exits.

The PDC Pro Tour action returns on November 4-5th at Barnsley Metrodome, as the Players Championship season comes to an end, with spots up for grabs at the Players Championship Finals and the World Championship.

Players Championship 28
Last 16
Luke Humphries 6-1 Chris Dobey
Max Hopp 6-3 Ted Evetts
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-4 Gabriel Clemens
Ross Smith 6-3 Steve Beaton
Damon Heta 6-1 Kenny Neyens
Dirk Van Duijvenbode 6-5 Jonny Clayton
Josh Rock 6-3 Jim Williams
Adrian Lewis 6-2 Berry Van Peer

Quarter Finals
Luke Humphries 6-3 Max Hopp
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-1 Ross Smith
Damon Heta 6-0 Dirk Van Duijvenbode
Josh Rock 6-1 Adrian Lewis

Semi Finals
Luke Humphries 7-2 Ricardo Pietreczko
Josh Rock 7-3 Damon Heta

Final
Josh Rock 8-5 Luke Humphries

—–ENDS—–

Images: PDC

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