HOOD STUNS ROCK TO CONTINUE DREAM RUN

JUSTIN HOOD says his remarkable run to the quarter-finals at Ally Pally is far from a “fairytale” after he stunned Josh Rock.

‘Happy Feet’ pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament with a sensational 4-0 whitewash against world No7 Rock.

The Bristolian was unstoppable with his scoring, averaging an impressive 101.18, and he had nailed a perfect 11 out of 11 doubles before missing a few when throwing for the match.

Hood admitted the only time nerves crept in was when he was chucking to seal the win in the penultimate leg.

He said: “It’s not a fairy tale. I know what I can do and it’s nice to prove it up here.

“I was thinking about it (the doubles). It was on the screen! I was just thinking, win every leg as it comes.

“The only time I had a bit of nerves was when I was throwing to win it in the penultimate leg.”

World No50 Hood has now banked a whopping £100,000 and his dream of opening a Chinese restaurant can finally be fulfilled.

Before his standout performance at the Worlds, Hood had only made one quarter-final appearance on the ProTour this season, at Players Championship 23.

Hood remained grounded and true to himself despite the newfound spotlight of his breakout campaign.

He added: “It’s very overwhelming. I’m not used to this. I usually get hate messages.

“This is mad. There is no fame. I will be the same wherever I am.

“Whether I am here or down the local, I won’t change. I’m not going to change who I am. It’s a game of darts.

“If I play well I can win, I proved that today and the last three times I played. I am doing well and long may it continue.

“Who wants a Chinese? You still have to pay at mine!”

Hood returns to action on January 1 and will face either Michael van Gerwen or Gary Anderson for a place in the semi-final at the prestigious major event.

Image by Taylor Lanning.