Rob Cross offers pointers on avoiding distractions to mentee Leighton Bennett

Bennett is one of the hottest prospects in darts. The has already shown incredible focus to win five youth titles this year alone. Cross has implored the 13-year-old to keep up that intensity. "I truly believe the only thing that can stop Leighton getting to the very top is girls. He can't allow himself to get distracted by anything," he told . "We tease him a bit now about girls and he says he's only interested in winning darts matches. But that will change in a couple of years I'm sure. "But he has to put his personal life on hold now to concentrate on darts. If he can do that he will be a world beater. That means he has to steer clear of girls for at least five years until he starts winning major titles. "It's a big ask for the kid. But you have to make sacrifices to get to the top of darts now."

Bennett was recently on the big stage with the 'Power at the Tower' exhibition. He ran Phil Taylor close in a unique event at the Tower of London. He continues to draw acclaim, and Cross is a firm believer that if his development continues on this trajectory, Boom Boom could make history.
"I don't think I've ever seen anyone as good at his age. He's so cool under pressure and if he can keep that temperament, he'll be hard to stop.
"The biggest issues now is not necessarily his game, it's the growing up stuff. He’s got a lot of living to do and that's girls and staying off social media as well.
"I think the biggest task for kids these days is not getting distracted. Getting them off Playstations and their iPhones is really tough. That will be the toughest battle for Leighton in some ways.
"He'll have to watch his mates go out partying at the weekend when he gets to 16 and he'll have to stay at home practising. That's not easy. But right now I think he'll cope with it."