The semi-final clash between Luke Littler and Josh Rock at the World Matchplay lived up to all expectations—and perhaps even exceeded them. As Josh Rock had promised in advance, it turned into a spectacular showdown full of fireworks on Saturday night, with both players fighting tooth and nail for a spot in the final.
However, the intensity of the match was briefly overshadowed by a controversial moment. Rock appeared visibly irritated by a sly tactic employed by the reigning world champion—an incident that has since gone viral on social media.
While such antics were once a frequent feature of the 18-year-old Littler’s game, they’ve become noticeably rarer. Littler now seems to be maturing rapidly, making more rational, calculated choices that reflect a growing professionalism.
Still, the brash, bold side of his personality hasn’t completely disappeared. It resurfaced during the semi-final in a moment that raised eyebrows, especially given the circumstances: Littler was trailing 0-5 at the time. It’s precisely the kind of situation where mental discipline is crucial—and risky distractions can backfire.
James Wade did this smart trick in the final and it worked
In the final it was James Wade who had this trick against Luke Littler and it actually worked as shown on this footage.
Yet, as he has done so often, Littler turned things around. Despite the early deficit, he mounted a stunning comeback to secure victory once again. And while some may call his behavior reckless or controversial, the result ultimately validated his approach—at least on the scoreboard.
Beyond the drama, the match etched its place in history in more ways than one. The game produced a record-breaking 29 maximum 180s, four of which came in the eighth leg alone—a leg already being hailed by fans and commentators alike as possibly the greatest ever played.
Remarkably, that leg also included a statistical anomaly never seen before: a player (Josh Rock) losing a leg despite averaging a perfect 180. Littler followed it up with the tenth nine-darter in World Matchplay history, posting a staggering leg average of 167.00. Together, the two players achieved the highest possible combined average in a single leg—347.00—an all-time record that mathematically cannot be surpassed, only matched.
This wasn’t just a comeback. It was a night of records, raw emotion, and unforgettable drama—a semi-final that will live on not only in the memory of darts fans but also in the annals of the sport’s history.