Northern Irish sensation Josh Rock left needing to do it the hard way to reach knockouts of Grand Slam of Darts

Northern Ireland darts sensation Josh Rock will have to mount a title challenge the hard way after being edged out in a deciding leg – 5-4 – by World No.17 Ryan Searle in his opening group match in the Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton last night.

he 21-year-old from Antrim has taken the arrows world by storm this season, announcing himself as the heir apparent to Ulster kingpins Daryl Gurney and Brendan Dolan.

Rock is in Group H in the glamour £650,000 event, alongside Searle, Luke Humphries and Scott Williams, the top two progressing to the last-16 which begins on Wednesday.