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.

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.

120 checkout for Littler saw him hold for 8-7. Littler went two away suddenly at 9-8. Littler missed bull for 97 and Wattimena had two darts at double 20 but missed them both.

Littler though missed more darts and Wattimena hit double 10 for 9-9. Wattimena missed 105 for 10-10 and Littler had a dart at 114 but missed it. Wattimena made it 10-10. Littler missed double 12 and hit double six finally for 11-10.

Wattimena missed 120 to stay in it and Littler got match darts but the Dutchman hit double 10 to make it 11-11. Littler made it 12-11 and pinned double 20.

A 106 checkout was missed by Wattimena but Littler missed 75. Wattimena missed three for 12-12 and Littler returned for double 10.

Gerwyn Price amid all the late night tie-break antics was perhaps the best of the night. He expertly demolished Chris Dobey 11-3 to reach the Quarter-FInals.

The hero of the Winter Gardens and for once getting a great reception. He delighted them with a 108.73 average and nearly had the average record in his hands. He faces Rock in a blockbuster affair.

Price hit the front early on double 20 for 1-0. He expertly set up double 20 from 164 to hold after his early break.

Dobey missed 164 on the bull and Price hit 146 on double 13 for 3-0 for another break. Price missed double 12 for a 135 but he returned for 4-0.

Dobey hit a 180 and 73 checkout to go into the break at 4-1. Price went into double nine on 81 instead of double 12 and Dobey took out 142 for a break back at 4-2.

A 90 checkout saw Price go 5-2 up. Dobey missed 150 on double 18 and Price broke with a 57 checkout for 7-2.

A superb 83 checkout saw Price go 8-2 up. Price hit a 62 checkout on return for 9-2 and broke again. Price went to the brink with a 56 checkout for 10-2.

Price couldn’t find the second treble for 152 and Dobey held for 10-3. Price stormed through finally hitting double 20.

While there is no stopping Andrew Gilding. He is through to the Quarter-Finals for the second straight year.

'Goldfinger' a cult hero in darting circles also delighted as he took down Van Duijvenbode 11-5 averaging over a ton to do so in a masterclass from the former UK Open champion.

Van Duijvenbode of course with his partner about to give birth will no doubt rush back to the Netherlands with more important matters on his mind. But Gilding remains in Blackpool to fight another day.