World Darts Championship 2026 results: Justin Hood and Jonny Clayton through to quarter-finals

Against Northern Ireland’s World Cup winner Rock, Hood hit his first 11 attempts at doubles and missed for the first time when trying to take out 143 to win the match.

That was the first of four match darts he missed in that leg, but he got the job done in the next, to the delight of the crowd who chanted his name throughout.

“I’ve never experienced anything [in terms of atmosphere] like it,” the 32-year-old from Somerset told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“To have people chanting your name like that and being on your side like that is an amazing feeling. Long may it continue.”

Rock could only shake his head and smile in disbelief at the back of the stage as Hood continued to land double after double.

Hood has previously said he would like to open a Chinese restaurant with his World Championship earnings, which currently stand at £100,000.

Having started the tournament ranked 86th in the world, he is provisionally into the top 50 thanks to his victory over Northern Ireland’s Rock, who had been tipped as a potential tournament winner.