Unibet Premier League

Thursday 1st February 2018

3Arena, Dublin, Ireland

World number one Michael van Gerwen put in a mighty performance as he defeated Rob Cross 7-2 at the 3Arena in Dublin on night one of the Unibet Premier League in front of a sold out crowd.

Van Gerwen had a couple of mediocre throws of 57 and 55 to start the opening leg before he hit top gear, scoring 135, 140 and then checking out on 114 (20, T18, D20).

MvG then hit an eleven darter to break throw and go 2-0 up with three scores of 140 and an 81 finish (T19, D12) with Cross having hit a 180 and missed a dart at the bull for an 85 finish. 

The Dutchman won the third leg to extend his lead with an 18 darter then Cross got on the scoreboard with a 15 dart leg, taking out 70 (T18, x, D8).

Another 114 finish from Van Gerwen (20, T18, D20) for a 15 darter made it 4-1, then he broke throw again with another 11 darter, hitting his first 180 of the match and finishing on 88 (T20, D14).

It was soon 6-1 and guess what? Yes, a third 114 finish from The Green Machine (T20, 14, D20) for a 15 darter. The Hastings man then took out double eight for a 25 finish and a 14 darter to trail 6-2.

In the ninth leg of the match Cross was close to taking out 134, missing a second dart at double top after opening the throw with a treble eighteen. Van Gerwen took out double eight to take the match with his next arrow for a 16 darter having already missed two darts at double sixteen for a seventy finish.  

Cross hit one maximum and averaged 98.60. Van Gerwen hit tow maximums and averaged 100.80.

Going into the match Cross was excited about playing in the Premier League having risen to number three in the world in just a year of becoming a professional.

"Last year was a bit of a whirlwind, a learning curve all the way through, and this year will be no different,” said Cross.

"Usually I deal with it and I'm going to enjoy it. The challenge of going out every week in the Premier League I think is excellent. It's a great opportunity to show what I can do.

"I've never experienced the Premier League so it's going to be a little bit new and it will take a couple of weeks to settle in."

Further information regarding Michael van Gerwen including all the head-to-head clashes with Rob Cross can be found here. 

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