When Trash Talk Goes Too Far: Josh Rock Loses It Over Devon Petersen's Ridiculous Antics

By Lewis Barnett 14 June, 2025 4 mins read 131 Views

Look, I've covered enough darts matches to know when someone's just being competitive and when they've completely lost the plot.

Devon Petersen crossed that line last night. Big time.

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The Moment Everything Went Sideways

Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney were cruising through their World Cup match against South Africa when Petersen decided to turn into some kind of one-man circus act. The guy wouldn't shut up - and I mean literally would not stop talking from the moment they stepped on stage. But here's where it gets properly mental: he actually poured his drink over Gurney's darts case.

What kind of amateur hour nonsense is that?

Rock, who's normally pretty level-headed for a 24-year-old, was absolutely fuming afterward. "Devon started talking for the bull-up and it got me fired up and then he decided to pour a bit of a drink over Daryl's case," he said. "I think it's a wee bit disrespectful in my eyes."

Disrespectful? That's putting it mildly, Josh.

Gurney's Million-Dollar Observation

Daryl Gurney had the best take on the whole mess, though. His response when asked about Petersen's constant chatter: "If Devon was paid for every single word, he would be an absolute millionaire because not once did he shut up."

I actually laughed out loud at that one. Poor Gurney trying to concentrate while this guy's running his mouth like he's hosting a bloody podcast.

"Even in the bull pen he was at it and it annoyed him [Josh]. It was the worst thing he done," Gurney added. You could tell he was trying to stay diplomatic, but even he had his limits.

The Northern Ireland veteran did admit he managed to tune out most of the noise - apparently he'd dealt with Petersen's antics before. Smart man.

Why This Actually Matters

Here's the thing that bugs me about situations like this. There's gamesmanship, and then there's just being a complete tool. Petersen's behavior wasn't strategic - it was childish.

Gurney even called himself out for letting it affect his game: "I shouldn't have messed about whenever I had those three darts at 32 and then I shouldn't have done a stupid one, a blind 180, because that's just stupid. That's playing into Devon's hands."

But he also nailed exactly what Petersen was trying to do: "Devon loves it and he'll go back, and the first thing he'll say is 'Oh, you see what I did? I made Daryl do this'."

What Happens Next

Despite all the drama, Northern Ireland got the result they needed. They're through to face Ireland in the quarter-finals, which should be a proper match without any drink-spilling nonsense.

Speaking of Ireland, William O'Connor's already moaning about the stage being "too hot" for players to perform properly. At least that's a legitimate complaint, unlike whatever Petersen was trying to accomplish.

Meanwhile, Dimitri van den Bergh confirmed he's staying retired from full-time darts. Can't say I blame him after watching displays like this.

Sometimes the sport shows its best side. Last night wasn't one of those times.

Frequently Asked Questions

My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?

Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

Statistics

The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.

External Links

How To

Mastering Your Grip & Stance

There's no single "correct" way to hold a dart, but there are definitely wrong ways. Most players use 3 fingers (thumb, index, middle) with the dart resting primarily on the middle finger. Some pros use 4 or even 5 fingers, but I'd suggest starting with 3.