Unibet Premier League
Thursday 5th April 2018
Echo Arena, Liverpool
Rob Cross made it six wins from seven Unibet Premier League matches as he defeated world number four Gary Anderson for the first time.
Playing in front of another sell out crowd at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, the Hastings hot-shot won the match 7-5 to grab two crucial points and cement third spot in the league table going into the final round of matches.
Going into the tie with five previous defeats and no wins against the Scotsman, Cross got off to a great start by breaking throw with a 13 dart leg that included the first 180 of the night.
Cross then won the second leg in 17 darts after Anderson missed chances at double top, double ten, double five and double one.
Anderson won the third leg in 16 darts and drew level with an 82 finish in a 14 dart leg. Cross broke again, this time in 16 darts to go 3-2 up only for Anderson to break straight back with an 18 dart leg after the current world champion missed darts at double top and double ten.
A 15 dart leg from Cross followed as he broke yet again to go back in front, taking out 201 in six darts, scoring 134 and finishing off 67 (17, 14, D18) after Anderson had missed a dart at double twelve for a 144 finish.
Cross then held throw in 14 darts with a 75 finish (T17, D12) to lead 5-3 despite pressure from Anderson as he hit three straight scores of 140 to leave 36.
Anderson took the next in 15 darts then Cross won the tenth leg in 17 darts to go 6-4 up. Anderson won the eleventh leg in 13 darts then Cross sealed victory by hitting double sixteen in a 16 dart leg.
Both players hit four 180s. Cross averaged 92.30, Anderson averaged 95.09.
Following the match Cross said "It wasn't great tonight but a couple of big moments helped. The 75 to go 5-3 up was big and I managed to hold my throw from there.
"If you're winning you're not doing a lot wrong - it doesn't matter if it's scruffy or perfect. I've played brilliantly against Gary before and lost so to get the win tonight is really pleasing.
"I've really enjoyed the Premier League, the crowds are amazing and I look forward to it every Thursday."
Cross has now beaten everyone that he has faced in the current top 40 of the PDC Order of Merit. A remarkable record for someone that has only been on the PDC Pro Tour for 14 months.
| Results | ||
| Simon Whitlock | 7-3 | Gerwyn Price |
| Michael Smith | 7-0 | Raymond van Barneveld |
| Rob Cross | 7-5 | Gary Anderson |
| Michael van Gerwen | 7-4 | Mensur Suljovic |
| Daryl Gurney | 6-6 | Peter Wright |
League Table
| Pos | Pld | Won | Drawn | Lost | Legs | Points | |
| 1 | Michael van Gerwyn | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | +32 | 16 |
| 2 | Michael Smith | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | +25 | 14 |
| 3 | Rob Cross | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | +9 | 12 |
| 4 | Simon Whitlock | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | +5 | 10 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||||
| 5 | Gary Anderson | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | +1 | 9 |
| 6 | Daryl Gurney | 9 | 2 | 5 | 2 | -2 | 9 |
| 7 | Raymond van Barneveld | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | -9 | 8 |
| 8 | Peter Wright | 9 | 1 | 4 | 4 | -19 | 6 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||||
| 9 | Mensur Suljovic | 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 | -13 | 4 |
| 10 | Gerwyn Price | 9 | 0 | 2 | 7 | -29 | 2 |