PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP 19
Citywest Hotel, Dublin, Ireland
Friday 29th September 2017
Rob Cross has won Players Championship 19 at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, coming from 2-0 down in the final to beat world number three Peter Wright 6-2, taking the last six legs in 13, 12, 12, 12, 13 and 13 darts.
Cross started the day with a 6-1 win against unseeded Raymond van Barneveld and was in relentless form throughout the match taking the opening four legs in 15, 16, 16 and 14 darts, that included a 72 checkout in the opening leg (20, 20, D16). Barney won the fifth leg in 14 darts before Cross completed victory with two legs of 14 darts. Cross averaged 100.93, Van Barneveld hit two maximums and averaged 88.28.
Cross then beat stablemate David Pallett 6-2 in the second round, Justin Pipe 6-3 in the third round, James Wade 6-5 in the fourth round and Vincent van der Voort 6-0 in the quarter-finals to earn a place in the last four.
In the semi-finals Cross continued his great form as he smashed Mensur Suljovic 6-1, hitting four maximums and averaging 108.99. The semi-final tie started with 'Voltage' taking out 78 (18, 20, D20) in a 15 dart leg. The next leg saw Suljovic hit 174 to leave 30 only for Cross to respond by taking out 167 (T20, T19, bull) for a 12 darter. The next three legs were won in 15, 14 and 15 darts with finishes of 56 (20, x, D18), 69 (T19, D6) and 72 (T20, x, D6) to put Cross 5-0 up. Suljovic then took out 161 (T20, T17, bull) for a 12 darter. Cross then closed out the match and advance to the final by hitting seven perfect darts and taking out 52 (20, D16). Suljovic averaged 99.61 but only had one shot at a double, the bull he hit to win the sixth leg.
In the final, all legs were won in 13 darts or less as Wright opened up by taking the first two in 11 and 13 darts. Cross finished the third leg on double two then took out 81 (T19, x, D12), 88 (20, T18, D7), 81 (19, T12, D13), 32 and 36 to claim his third Players Championship title of the year. Cross hit five maximums and averaged 113.21. Wright hit two maximums and averaged 110.72.
Cross won £10,000 in prize money.