Unibet Premier League - Night 2

Thursday 8th February 2018

Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales

Rob Cross slipped to a second successive defeat in the Unibet Premier League at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff as Simon Whitlock continued his excellent start to the season.

Whitlock won the match 7-1 as Cross missed eight attempts at a double.including three in the opening leg.

The Australian nuber one took the opening leg against throw with a 17 darter with a 25 finish by taking out double eight after Cross missed a dart at bullseye and two at double eight.

Whitlock then held throw to make it 2-0 despite six missed doubles himself in the next leg, eventually hitting double two in a 20 dart leg that saw Cross trailing on 94 after throwing 18 darts.

Cross made a decent start to the third leg opening with scores of 139 and 140 and took it with a 72 finish (T20. D6) for a 14 darter. Whitlock won the next in 15 darts with a 74 finish (T14, 16, D8) to lead 3-1.

In the fifth leg 'Voltage' missed opportunities at double sixteen, double eight and double four as Whitlock won it in 18 darts finishing on 59 (19, 20, D10).

'The Wizard' then had his best leg of the match. Kicking off with three scores of 140 and finishing by hitting double thirteen for a 13 darter.

Cross missed darts at double four and double two in the next as Whitlock won it with a 17 dart leg hitting double top at the second attempt.

The Sussex shooter looked to be in a good position to win the eighth leg by opening with scores of 180, 121 and 100 but Whitlock took it in 15 darts with a 106 finish (20, T18, D16) to claim the match and take two points that sees him top the league table after two weeks.

After the match Whitlock said "I'm over the moon and I couldn't have asked for a better start, I'm off to a flier and I can't wait for next week now, I'm feeling good.

"Rob didn't play well but I've got to do what I do and that's win matches. I think Rob's got a bit of a hangover from winning the World Championship and there's a bit of pressure on him, but he's a class player and he'll bounce back.

"I'm on a high and I'm just going to ride that and play as well as I can, and I'll take it one week at a time - but this is fantastic for me."

Cross said "I'm obviously gutted. It's been a tough week but I'll keep working hard to get my form back."

Further information regarding Simon Whitlock including all the head-to-head clashes with Rob Cross can be found here.

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