Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock (right) was beaten by Jonny Clayton in his Premier League debut in Newcastle
Despite averaging over 101 on his Premier League debut, Brougshane’s Josh Rock lost his first ever match in the tournament to a simply phenomenal Jonny Clayton at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
The Welshman averaged 109.81 and, even more impressively, was 75 per cent on the doubles to clinch a 6-2 win in the opening match of the tournament and leave Rock still waiting for his first points in the tournament.
There will be no panic for the Co Antrim star, given this is a 16-week event, but Clayton’s performance was an early reminder of the level he needs to get to if he wishes to finish in the top-four of the eight-man League and qualify for Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena in May.
Rock was far from poor and his 101.83 average would normally be good enough to win most matches, with his 40 per cent checkout rate nothing to be sniffed at either, but on this occasion he was simply blown away by an inspired Clayton, who won the Premier League in 2021.
The opening leg of the tournament went to Rock who, despite trailing for the entire leg, pinned double-12 to take out 82, but Clayton responded by going six darts into a nine-darter before finishing off double-eight to immediately break back.
The next three legs went on throw, Clayton taking out 98 in the third leg and Rock winning the fourth – which would prove to be his last – before the former champion cleaned up the fifth leg.
And from there it was all about Clayton, who sensationally broke for a second time in the sixth leg with a brilliant 180 to set up an 11-dart finish on double-16, and another straightforward hold of throw would take him one from victory.
The writing was on the wall for Rock and, although he had a chance to put another leg on the board by leaving 160, there was no stopping the ‘Ferret’ as Clayton checked out 52 to round off the win and put the first points on the board of the tournament.
Rock won’t have long to wait for his second opportunity, the weekly event – which is played in a different city every Thursday night for the next 16 weeks – heading to Antwerp on February 12 where he will face Michael van Gerwen in the Quarter-Finals.
The tournament will head to Belfast’s SSE Arena for the fourth leg on February 26 when Rock will face European champion and World Championship runner-up Gian van Veen in the Quarter-Finals, while teenage world champion Luke Littler will clash with Clayton.