Cross beats five-time world champ in Berlin

World darts champion Rob Cross made it back-to-back Unibet Premier League wins by defeating a five-time world champion tonight (Thursday).
Rob Cross at the oche during his victory over Raymond van Barneveld in Berlin. Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDCRob Cross at the oche during his victory over Raymond van Barneveld in Berlin. Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC
Rob Cross at the oche during his victory over Raymond van Barneveld in Berlin. Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC

The St Leonards-based thrower followed up his 7-4 victory over Peter Wright in Newcastle last week with a 7-3 success against Raymond van Barneveld in Berlin.

Cross recorded a 96.46 average, hit four 180s and had an excellent 70 percent success ratio on his doubles as he won the final four legs in front of 12,000 fans in the German capital - a post-war record for a darts event.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dutch great van Barneveld finished 78 in two darts to break throw in the opening leg, but Cross landed two 180s to break back in 14 darts and then checked out 96 in two darts to lead 2-1.

Rob Cross celebrates a successful shot at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDCRob Cross celebrates a successful shot at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC
Rob Cross celebrates a successful shot at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Van Barneveld finished 72 to level at 2-2 and although Cross produced a 13-darter on his own throw in the next leg, van Barneveld nailed a 112 outshot to make it 3-3.

Cross took charge thereafter, though. After hitting 52 in two darts to lead again, his third 180 followed by a two-dart 56 finish made it 5-3 and at that stage Cross had hit five of his six attempts at a double.

An off-colour van Barneveld missed six darts at a double to break back in leg nine and Cross, after his final 180, landed double 10 to go within one of victory. He then finished the job in style with a brilliant 128 checkout for a 12-darter against the throw.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Cross said: “We’re feeling more and more comfortable. I have to admit it was the biggest crowd in darts and I never really noticed.

“I thought Barney let me off a little bit and I was glad for that, but sometimes you need a bit of luck to win these games. I tidied the game up nicely (at the end). I expected Raymond to be a bit stronger tonight and for whatever reason he wasn’t.”

World number three Cross is up to fifth in the 10-man Premier League table, despite heavy defeats in his opening two matches against Michael van Gerwen and Simon Whitlock.

“I started off and I was poor, but at last now I’ve started to win and I’m getting there,” he said. “Now I feel more comfortable in myself when I’m up here so that’s all that matters. If you feel out of place, you’re going to lose every week - like I was!”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Premier League - a 16-week roadshow event - will move on to Exeter next Thursday night, when Cross will face two-time world champion and world number four Gary Anderson.

Benefit from an ongoing discount on your Observer by joining our voucher membership scheme. Once you’ve subscribed, we’ll send you dated vouchers which can be exchanged for your paper at any news outlet. To save money on your Observer, simply click here (www.localsubsplus.co.uk)