Anderson holds off Cross comeback to seal victory and move clear of Premier League relegation trouble

Gary Anderson has claimed the opening win of the second block of action in the 2021 Premier League Darts by edging past Rob Cross and surviving a comeback in the process.

Anderson went 5-2 up but couldn't close it out and Cross came back to miss two darts for a draw and 'The Flying Scotsman' duly picked his pocket for a full points haul.

Cross began to tie by missing double 18 for a 144 finish but return to pin the same target to go 1-0 up. He missed the chance for a 119 checkout and Anderson levelled with a 70 checkout on double 20.

'Voltage' though went 2-1 up moving ahead with a 12-darter on double 16 but Anderson pounced after Cross messed up a 86 checkout for a 12 dart break to go 3-2 up with a break and consolidated that.

It was a second 70 checkout of the match by Anderson as he went on the verge at 5-2 up but he was dragged into a contest as he missed bull for a 83 checkout for a point and Cross took out 58 on double 20 to go 5-3 down.

Cross continued his comeback with a 13-darter on double 20 to go one behind at 5-4 down. But as the legs ticked down, Anderson made sure of a point at 6-4 up.

It was sent all the way to a decider though as Anderson pounced this time on two darts to seal a draw and it was victory for 'The Flying Scotsman'.