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Cross Denies Nine-Dart Humphries In Euro Tour Final

Cross Denies Nine-Dart Humphries In Euro Tour Final

Alex Moss |

A WEEK IN DARTS – MAY 13, 2024 – CROSS DEFIES NINE DARTER FROM HUMPHRIES TO WIN THE BALTIC SEA DARTS OPEN

An action-packed week of the PDC ProTour in Germany concluded with the Baltic Sea Darts Open at the weekend, with two Premier League stars producing fireworks in a high-quality final. Here’s our look back at all things darts over the last seven days…

CLASSY CROSS LANDS SECOND EURO TOUR CROWN

Rob Cross denied nine-dart Luke Humphries to clinch the Baltic Sea Darts Open and his second European Tour title on Sunday.

‘Voltage’ broke his duck on the European Tour in 2023 with a victory in the European Darts Grand Prix, having lost in all of his first eight final appearances.

And the 2018 PDC world champion doubled his title tally with an 8-6 win over the world number one Humphries to pick up the £30,000 top prize in Kiel.

The two Premier League stars served up a thriller at the Wunderino Arena, with Cross averaging 105.56 to Humphries’ 104.38.

“To hit back-to-back 12-darters to win was great and I’m happy that I’ve won something – it’s been a while!” Cross said.

“It’s an amazing experience to come up and win something again. I’ve got a new regime at the minute and it’s working. I feel much better, much fresher in the longer days and long may it continue.

“Me and Luke always have good games and I really enjoyed it. He’s number one for a reason – he’s the best player on the planet.”

A back and forth final saw the lead change hands several times, as Cross went 3-2 up before Humphries responded with back-to-back legs to edge 4-3 in front.

In the eighth leg the reigning PDC world champion struck perfection, throwing two 180s and a 141 finish for his second nine-dart leg on the European Tour.

Cross rallied from 5-3 behind and won five of the next six legs to win the title and move back into the world’s top five on the PDC Order of Merit.

His run to the title saw him post three 100+ averages in five games, including a 102 against Maik Kuivenhoven in his tournament opener on Saturday.

‘Voltage’ then came through last-leg deciders against Stephen Bunting and Ritchie Edhouse on the final day, before a 7-4 win against Latvia’s Madars Razma took him through to a 10th career European Tour final.

For Razma it was a second ever appearance in a European Tour semi-final, having come back from 5-2 down to knock out the top seed Dave Chisnall 6-5 in the second round, and fighting through last-leg thrillers with Chris Dobey and Joe Cullen.

HUMPHRIES WINS FOURTH PREMIER LEAGUE NIGHT IN LEEDS

Luke Humphries kept his hopes of finishing top of the Premier League table alive with a nightly win in Leeds on Thursday night.

Leeds United fan Humphries was roared on by an 11,000 strong crowd at the First Direct Arena, and edged out Michael van Gerwen 6-5 in a dramatic finale.

The world number one also saw off two other former world champions in Rob Cross and Michael Smith, the latter with a 109 average, on his way to picking up the full haul of five points.

“This was a dream for me tonight,” reflected Humphries, who wore a specially-designed shirt in Leeds’ white, blue and yellow colours.

“The support was amazing and to go on and win, this probably ranks as one of my best experiences in darts.

“The crowd were absolutely fantastic. When you walk out there and you’ve got so many people wanting you to win, it is what dreams are made of.

“I’ve had some games recently where it hasn’t gone my way, but the most important thing is how you bounce back, and I played really well tonight.”

It was a fourth nightly win of the season for Humphries and means he takes the race to finish top of the table to the final regular week in Sheffield this Thursday.

Luke Littler sits top of the pile on 38 points, with Humphries in second on 33 points, meaning Humphries needs another nightly win and Littler to lose his quarter-final match to pip the teenager to top spot.

The two World Championship finalists from January have already confirmed their places in the play-offs on May 23. Defending champion Michael van Gerwen has also booked his spot at The O2 in two weeks time, with the last play-off berth to be decided in Sheffield.

Nathan Aspinall and Smith meet in the quarter-finals in a winner-takes-all clash as the victor will secure a place in the end of season finale.

DOUBLE FIGURES FOR DOLAN ON PROTOUR

Brendan Dolan claimed his first ranking title for nearly two years after beating Jeffrey de Graaf in the final of Players Championship 10 on Tuesday.

The Northern Irishman averaged 98 to see off first-time finalist de Graaf 8-4 in the decider in Hildesheim to win his 10th ProTour title.

The 50-year-old claimed the scalps of Peter Wright and Daryl Gurney on his way to the title, and edged past Graham Hall 7-5 in the semi-finals to advance to a decider with de Graaf.

Dolan raced into a 3-0 lead in the final before his Swedish opponent battled back to trail 5-4, but the veteran won the next three legs to wrap up the title.

“It’s an absolutely brilliant feeling,” said Dolan, who had last tasted victory on the ProTour in July 2022.

“All I’ve been thinking about over the last few months is trying to qualify for the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix.

“That’s what I have been striving for, and thankfully I am really close to achieving that now.”

The ProTour season continues with another pair of Players Championships in Hildesheim on June 11-12.

Pictures: PDC Europe

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