Premier League: Nine Darts champion Rock could become a world champion one day – Ponting

Northern Ireland nine-dart champion Josh Rock has the potential to become a world champion in the future, Belfast Premier League winner Stephen Ponting says.

Ponting beat Dutchman Gian van Veen in the final to win the fourth night of this year’s series, but had to share the spotlight with the County Antrim man Rock, who struck a perfect leg during the quarter-final defeat in front of his home crowd.

Ponting’s success earned him his first points of the season, while Rooke languishes at the bottom of the top eight without a point so far.

“Josh is a great player, I have been training with him for the past few weeks, and his time will come,” Ponting said in the post-event media conference.

“He’s one of the best players in the world. People need to get off his back. He was up against the ropes tonight and pulled nine fours out of nowhere. It shows how good he is.”

“I honestly believe that if he keeps doing what he’s doing, it’ll only be a matter of time before he wins a world championship.”

The 24-year-old Rock’s consistent performances during the season have seen him rise to the top ranks of the world rankings and helped him secure his first Premier League appearance of the season.

“His averages, his scoring, his finishing, he’s got the whole package, he’s a young lad too, very composed, works really hard, has a lovely family,” added former BDO world champion Ponting.

“He definitely won’t finish the Premier League without points anyway, I can guarantee that.

“He is a great player, a great friend of mine, and I wish him nothing but success.”