2018 Players Championship 2 

Sunday 18th February 2018

Metrodome, Barnsley

Rob Cross made it to the last 64 of Players Championship 2 at the Metrodome in Barnsley, losing out in a last leg decider against Keegan Brown despite recording an average of 102.34.

Last 128 (vs Scott Darbyshire)

In the opening round 'Voltage' eased passed Scott Darbyshire 6-2, winning the opening three legs in 15, 17 and 20 darts. The first leg was won with a 74 outshot (18, 20, D18). The second started with four straight tons from Cross, a score of eighty-five and by taking out sixteen in two darts (8, D4). Darbyshire proved no threat at this stage as he failed to get down to a double until the third leg. Two missed darts at double top allowed Cross to take out double two with his fifth dart at a double. Darbyshire produced a much better fourth leg as he took out double twenty for a 13 darter after Cross had missed one dart at double seven for an eighty-eight checkout and a twelve darter. Cross then won the next two legs in 13 and 14 darts to lead 5-1. The fifth leg was won with a dart at double top and the sixth leg was won with a 50 checkout (18, D16). Darbyshire then won the next leg in 14 darts with a 65 outshot (25, D20) after Cross had missed a dart at bull for an 88 finish. Cross hit double two to win the eighth leg and the match, a 19 darter after four missed darts at doubles. There were no maximums in the match from either player although Cross hit two scores of 177 and averaged 95.42. Darbyshire averaged 79.95. 

Last 64 (vs Keegan Brown)

Keegan Brown beat John Part 6-2 to progress to the last 64 with an average of 86.66.

The match between Cross and Brown was played at a decent standard with all legs won in 15 darts or less. Brown won the first two in 15 and 14 darts with finishes of 60 (20, x, D20) and 32 (8, D12). Cross missed two darts at a double in the opening leg and a dart at the bull for a 164 finish in the second leg but was soon back in the match by winning the next three legs in 15, 12 and 15 darts with checkouts of 72 (T20, x, D6), 124 (20, T18, Bull) and 67 (17, 18, D16) to lead 3-2. Two missed darts at double eighteen from the Hastings man allowed Brown to level at 3-3 with a 122 checkout (T18, T18, D7), a 15 darter. Brown then hit double sixteen at the second attempt to win the next in 14 darts. Back came Cross to level the match at 4-4, hitting double eighteen at the second time of asking for a 14 darter. Cross then won the next in 15 darts, by hitting double eight at the second attempt after a missed dart at double sixteen. Brown then upped his game to win the remaining two legs in 12 and 13 darts for a 6-5 victory and his first win over the world champion in five attempts, checking out the 12 darter with an 88 finish (20, T20, D4) and the 13 darter by hitting tops at the third attempt. Cross hit two 180s and averaged 102.34. Brown hit three 180s and averaged 99.76.

Brown went on to lose 6-0 against Robert Thornton in the last 32. Michael van Gerwen won the final with a 6-1 win against Corey Cadby, hitting three 180s and a 101 finish, averaging 101.68.