Cross Claims Crown: Former World Champion Wins Players Championship 22

Rob Cross has won the second of this week’s PDC Players Championship events in Wigan. The 2018 World Champion overcame the challenge of Dutchman Maik Kuivenhoven – who was in his first final – to claim his first Pro Tour darts title for 18 months.

Voltage all but rubber-stamped his return to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens after clinching Wednesday’s Players Championship title in Wigan, defeating Maik Kuivenhoven in the decider of the season’s final double-header.

For the Kent-born arrow-smith, it represented a long-awaited renaissance. Remarkably, it was Cross’ first floor title since the opening day of last year’s campaign at the very same venue, serving as a salutary reminder that when operating at full throttle, few players possess a more formidable arsenal than the 2018 PDC World Champion.

Cross sauntered into the quarter-finals with scarcely a bead of perspiration, relinquishing just five legs while dispatching Dutch pair Danny Landman and Jimmy van Schie. He subsequently overcame compatriot Connor Scutt before breezing beyond Scotland’s David Sharp with characteristic aplomb.

Voltage then accounted for a third Netherlander in the shape of the highly impressive Alexander Merx. A scintillating semi-final triumph over Stephen Bunting followed, before Cross once again thwarted Dutch resistance by overcoming Kuivenhoven to capture the silverware. CRoss played at the highest level throughout the day, recording several 100+ averages and a 10 dart leg (140,180,149, 32f) to move three legs clear and lead 7-4 in the final…

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Maik Kuivenhoven, Darts Player, Netherlands, PDC, UK Open

As for Maik, there is an abundance of encouragement to be gleaned from his exploits. The Dutchman reached his maiden Players Championship final and can reflect upon a thoroughly meritorious campaign. Having matched Cross stride for stride at 4-4, the vastly decorated Englishman shifted through the gears and surrendered only one further leg to secure the crown in emphatic fashion.

Elsewhere, considerable plaudits must be afforded to Tom Bissell, who registered his fourth semi-final appearance of the year. He may not yet be a household name, but in terms of week-to-week consistency, the Englishman is exhibiting a level of dependability synonymous with the sport’s elite practitioners.

Tommy Morris is another competitor quietly flourishing beneath the radar. Despite still being without a Tour Card, the Dorset thrower has enjoyed a splendid Challenge Tour campaign and has missed just one Players Championship event all season. His quarter-final berth on Wednesday represented his deepest run to date and further underlined his burgeoning credentials.

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Now, with only this weekend’s Euro Tour event in Slovakia and one final double-header in Leicester remaining before the World Matchplay cut-off crystallises, the opening days of July promise anxiety, trepidation and no shortage of jangling nerves for those still clinging to Blackpool aspirations.