Rampant Josh Rock fights back from 4-0 down to deny stablemate Rob Cross and complete quarter-final lineup at 2025 UK Open

Josh Rock has completed the quarter-final lineup at the 2025 UK Open in Minehead, fighting back from 4-0 behind to take a 10-6 victory over Rob Cross on the main stage this Saturday evening.

In a battle of two stablemates, both Cross and Rock had already survived scares in the afternoon, coming through last leg deciders with Danny Noppert and Ross Smith respectively. Cross has seemingly turned up to this one in no mood to mess around though, taking the first four legs unanswered, before Rock finally got himself off the mark in the fifth leg, sarcastically celebrating as he headed off-stage for the interval 4-1 behind.

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The break seemed to have come at just the right time for Rock. The Northern Irishman continued his momentum after taking the last leg of the opening session, reeling off the next three unanswered to level up, before starting leg 9 with six perfect darts. Although the nine-darter didn't come, Rock returned to mop in 14 and take the lead. Mirroring the opening session though, Cross stopped the rot in the 10th leg, restoring parity at the break.

Despite Cross stopping the rot, the momentum was clearly on the side of Rock still. 'Rocky' opened the third session with a hold to get back in front, then breaking the Cross throw, for a 7th leg of the last 8. Moments later, Rock pinned double 8 for an 8-5 lead to move two legs from the quarter-finals. Rock then missed a big chance to go 9-5 up though, with Cross gratefully taking full advantage to keep himself in touch.

Rock did move to one away in the very next leg though, holding his throw in relative comfort. As the Northern Irishman then pressured the Cross throw with a pair of 180s, he sealed the victory moments later on double top.

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