World Darts Championship: Josh Rock’s dream run ended by Jonny Clayton, whereas Gerwyn Price powers on

Jonny Clayton ended Josh Rock’s dream debut run on the World Darts Championship, whereas world No 1 Gerwyn Price breezed previous Jose de Sousa because the Welsh duo reached the quarter-finals.

Antrim ace Rock has been one of the talked about gamers on planet darts in 2022, however Clayton used all his years of expertise to return by in one other nail-biter at Alexandra Palace.

“I am delighted. Josh is an up-and-coming star. He is fantastic. What a nice guy and what a player. I had to do a job and I did it. That’s all I can say. Hopefully I can get to the end,” stated Clayton.

“I have proved I can still play darts. We are all chasing this big trophy and fingers crossed it will be my year.”

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Jonny Clayton was stuffed with reward for Josh Rock as he reached the quarter-finals of the Worlds for the primary time

Rock acquired off to a blistering begin, successful the opener in three unanswered legs with an outstanding 110 common, to stun ‘The Ferret’.

The 21-year-old was displaying no indicators of nerves, however after surviving a barrage from Rock, Clayton clinched the second set in straight legs and he moved 2-1 forward after touchdown an unorthodox single 18, double 18, bullseye 104 end.

However, when the Welsh ace went inside on double 11 within the deciding leg of the fourth set, Rock returned for double 5 to get again on degree phrases.

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Clayton clinches the third set with this totally mind-blowing 104 checkout on the bullseye

And ‘Rocky’ gave the impression to be closing in on claiming one other enormous scalp by cleansing up 72 in a fifth-set decider moments after Clayton’s double try had hit the mistaken mattress.

But the world No 7 and former Premier League champion was not giving up with out a combat and he made certain the competition went the gap by nailing a 122 on double 7 en path to taking the sixth set 3-1.

In one other loopy sport within the capital, Rock’s bother with doubles got here to hang-out him when Clayton broke with a 13-darter and he then fired residence double 16 to make it by to the final eight for the primary time.

Gerwyn Price raced into the quarter-finals with victory over Jose de Sousa

Price, who has revealed plans to make a return to rugby on a spare weekend with no darts, clinched the primary set 3-1 in opposition to De Sousa earlier than rallying from 2-0 down and surviving two set darts within the subsequent to strengthen his grip on the match.

But ‘The Special One’ responded strongly within the third set to halve the deficit with a 98.2 set common, however again got here ‘The Iceman’ to nail tops for the primary time within the match for a 64 end to revive his two-set cushion and edge nearer to victory.

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Price pinned this 64 checkout to take a commanding 3-1 lead in opposition to De Sousa earlier than celebrating in trademark vogue

And the Welshman made it by to the quarter-finals by successful a deciding leg in opposition to the darts with a neat ton-out earlier than letting off a trademark roar of approval.

“I felt comfortable all the way through the game,” stated Price, who’s wanting so as to add to his title in 2021. “I knew I wasn’t playing at my best but when chances come along I think I take them. As long as my friends and family are here supporting me, that’s the main thing.”

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The world No 1 stayed on the right track for his second world title with a dominant win over De Sousa

Fifth seed Luke Humphries was pressured to fend off rapid-fire Dutchman Vincent van der Voort to seal a 4-3 triumph with a 96.5 common, eight 180s and a wonderful 140 checkout within the deciding set.

He will face both German No 1 Gabriel Clemens or Dundee firefighter Alan Soutar for a spot within the final 4.

Next up for ‘Cool Hand’ Luke is a tasty fourth-round assembly with Stephen Bunting on Friday night.

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Luke Humphries pinned this excellent 140 checkout on his method to reaching the final 16 at Alexandra Palace

“I feel like my doubles have let me down in this tournament, but it’s one of those things like if I play my game I want to get over that hurdle of making it through to the semi-finals,” stated Humphries, who revealed he’s nonetheless recovering from a illness bug.

“Bunting is a fantastic player but I will be making sure that I will finally bring my A-game to this tournament. The top players find a way and although I haven’t been at my 100 per cent best it’s not affecting me to the point where I’m playing terribly.”

DVD comes out on high in deciding-leg traditional

Dirk van Duijvenbode celebrates successful a traditional in opposition to Ross Smith

Dirk van Duijvenbode edged out Ross Smith in a deciding-leg traditional, in a contest which featured a record-breaking 31 maximums and 5 missed match darts from Smith.

Van Duijvenbode got here again from 3-0 right down to deny Smith on the similar stage of final yr’s event, and he inflicted additional heartbreak on the European Champion, who succumbed regardless of touchdown a record-equalling 19 180s.

The Dutchman pressured a deciding set after Smith wired a match dart on the bull for a 4-2 win, and after surviving 4 extra match darts in a gripping seventh set, Van Duijvenbode sank a nerveless 71 mixture on tops to triumph.

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Dirk Van Duijvenbode and Ross Smith set a brand new best-of-seven-sets report at Alexandra Palace. They hit 31 180s of their third spherical epic, together with a person report for Smith!

“I just thought: ‘Give me one dart and I’ll take it,” stated Van Duijvenbode, who hit a dozen 180s and transformed 114, 127 and 136 finishes to arrange an enchanting last-16 tie in opposition to Michael van Gerwen.

“It will be a fantastic game for the neutral, but I’m not happy with the way I’m playing.

“My greatest sport is in there, however I’m not displaying in and I undoubtedly want to point out it in opposition to Michael or I’m out tomorrow.”

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Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting produced some high quality tungsten with a total of SIX ton-plus checkouts in total

Elsewhere, Bunting produced one of the best performances of his career to defeat his fellow St Helens star Dave Chisnall in an exhilarating six-set affair, which saw both players register ton-plus averages.

“That’s the very best I’ve ever performed on that stage,” insisted Bunting – a semi-finalist back in 2021.

Meanwhile, 2018 World Champion Rob Cross cruised into the last 16 with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Mervyn King to book a meeting with Gary Anderson’s conqueror Chris Dobey.

“He has acquired one thing about him, this stable willpower and he has means, we all know that. He goes to take some beating”

Wayne Mardle on Rob Cross

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Here’s a look back at an action-packed afternoon session which included plenty of darting drama

Friday at Ally Pally

Michael van Gerwen headlines Friday evening at Alexandra Palace as he continues his quest for a fourth world crown

Kim Huybrechts and Dimitri Van den Bergh clash in the opening fourth-round tie before Gabriel Clemens takes on Alan Soutar.

Michael Smith and Joe Cullen close out a bumper afternoon session in what should be a contest full of thrills and spills.

Firm favorite Michael van Gerwen headlines the night session with the Dutchman persevering with his bid to land a fourth world title and first since 2019 when he faces fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode.

There’s a break on New Year’s Eve however then the quarter-finals, semi-finals and closing happen from January 1-3.

Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – dwell on Sky Sports Darts – throughout to the ultimate on January 3.