"Felt fantastic up there but had no grip on my fingers" – Josh Rock apologises for abysmal performance on the second Premier League Darts matchday

Josh Rock had been eagerly anticipating it, but his Premier League Darts debut is off to a particularly difficult start. On the second night as well, this time at the AFAS Dôme in Antwerp, the Northern Irishman again failed to record his first win. In the quarterfinals he lost 6-2 to Michael van Gerwen at the AFAS Dome.

After his defeat last week on the opening night of the Premier League Darts 2026 in Newcastle against Jonny Clayton, Rock hoped to bounce back in Belgium. That never materialised. Normally known for his scoring power and high averages, this time he was stuck on a 79.34 average over eight legs. He especially struggled on the doubles: Rock missed eleven of his thirteen checkout attempts. At Premier League Darts level, that is lethal.

Van Gerwen smelled blood and punished the misses ruthlessly. The Dutchman controlled the match from start to finish and never really allowed Rock to settle. With a convincing 6-2 win, ‘Mighty Mike’ booked his place in the semifinals, while Rock was left empty-handed once more.

Afterward, Rock was strikingly candid with his fans. On social media he apologized for his display and offered more insight into his underwhelming performance. According to the 24-year-old, he struggled on stage with an issue that affected his game.

"Want to apologise to everyone who watched me," wrote Rock. "Felt fantastic up there but had no grip on my fingers, is what it is, we move on. All the best to Michael van Gerwen.”

That statement suggests Rock was fine physically, but a lack of feel or grip hampered him when releasing the darts. In a sport where precision and control are crucial, a small detail can make a big difference. Especially in a format where every leg counts and players are punished immediately for minor errors.

After two nights, Rock is one of two players still waiting for a first win in this prestigious competition. The Premier League Darts is known for its brutal format, where the eight best players in the world face off weekly. Each night starts with quarterfinals, leaving no room to ease into the tournament.

Next week in Glasgow, Rock faces another tough assignment. In the quarterfinals he meets former world champion Luke Humphries, one of the most consistent players at the moment. Humphries has been in excellent form for a long time and will give Rock no room to find his rhythm.

Before the third Premier League night, Rock will also play on the ProTour. New events of the Players Championship are scheduled in Wigan. Notably, Rock skipped the first two events of the season in Hildesheim, but he is on the entry list in Wigan.