PDC star in emotional celebration as he avoids equalling unwanted Premier League history

Josh Rock has finally picked up his first Premier League win at the eighth attempt.

The debutant had been beaten in each of his first seven matches of this year’s event.

Sky Sports

Rock ended his winless run in the opening fixture on night eight in Berlin on Thursday, though.

The world No.7 saw off league leader Jonny Clayton 6-3 to get his first points on the board.

His victory was secured by pinning double 16 with his first match dart as Rock ended a near two-month wait for a win.

After clinching the match, he dropped to his knees in emotional scenes on stage before being congratulated by Clayton.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports commentator Rod Studd reacted by stating: “Rock has won in the Premier League and reacts like he has won the Premier League! The best man won there. Make no mistake.”

The win sets up a semi-final showdown against Michael van Gerwen for a place in the nightly final.

Rock’s maiden win comes just a week after he was jeered by the crowd in Dublin.

The 24-year-old was thrashed 6-0 by Gerwyn Price in the Irish capital as he suffered a seventh successive defeat.

His Premier League woes have also included averaging just 79.34 in his defeat to Van Gerwen on night two in Antwerp.

Rock avoids unwanted history

However, Rock has now avoided making unwanted history by beating Clayton.

Sky Sports

Glen Durrant holds the record for the most matches without winning in a Premier League campaign at nine.

The former winner was eliminated without winning a match in week nine under the old format back in 2021.

Rock could have matched that record in Manchester next week, but has now secured his first win of the season.

The World Cup of Darts champion will now be hoping to surpass his next unwanted milestone before the end of the campaign.

Peter Wright currently holds the record for the lowest points tally under the existing format, which was introduced in 2022.

Snakebite finished bottom of the table on just four points after two quarter-final wins across 16 weeks of action.

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Rock can surpass that tally in Berlin if he goes on to win the night having grabbed two points by beating Clayton.

Despite his victory, though, he will remain bottom of the standings regardless of whether he picks up a nightly win or not.