Rob Cross has claimed his first title of 2023 after seeing off Mike de Decker in a superb final win 8-3 at Players Championship 11.
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It was a 101.6 average, 8/13 on the doubles and a high checkout of 146 to win from Cross in a dominant success over the rising Belgian.
De Decker hit 41 for an early break. But Cross responded well breaking straight back for 1-1. Cross led 3-2 after the close early exchanges missing 117 for a break but De Decker couldn’t hit 74 allowing ‘Voltage’ back for 4-2.
He made it 5-2 before consolidating at 6-3 to go two away. An 89 and 146 checkout saw Cross seal a masterful conclusion as he eased to victory.
Players Championship 11 Results
Last 16
Joe Murnan (93.21) 6 | 4 (97.82) Dave Chisnall
Rob Cross (99.10) 6 | 0 (81.03) Lee Evans
Joe Cullen (97.91) 6 | 5 (88.89) Ryan Joyce
Radek Szaganski (92.31) 6 | 2 (89.34) Simon Whitlock
Mike De Decker (88.25) 6 | 5 (88.71) Jurjen van der Velde
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Gerwyn Price (100.98) 6 | 1 (99.90) Scott Williams
Niels Zonneveld (99.00) 6 | 3 (103.51) Kevin Doets
James Wade (84.92) 3 | 6 (88.13) Jimmy Hendriks
Quarter-Finals
Rob Cross (102.41) 6 | 1 (89.24) Joe Murnan
Radek Szaganski (107.80) 6 | 1 (103.55) Joe Cullen
Mike De Decker (105.27) 6 | 5 (96.42) Gerwyn Price
Niels Zonneveld (90.79) 6 | 3 (79.12) Jimmy Hendriks
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Semi-Finals
Rob Cross (94.30) 7 | 6 (99.52) Radek Szaganski
Mike De Decker (95.26) 7 | 5 (95.77) Niels Zonneveld
Final
Rob Cross (101.59) 8 | 3 (86.94) Mike De Decker
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- Littler will play whatever tournaments he decides. But does every headline have to start with him? Bristow bought Taylor through,and he followed that with Lewis. I can't see littler doing the same. Let him choose,and lose,he's getting good at that lately!rick6702-10-2026
- I believe he has it in him to qualify for the Worlds as he consistently wins matches, even if it is only one or two at a time, although his recent PC quarter-final run was somewhat encouraging in that regard. I think there is a lot of pressure for him to retire, people in the media accusing him of tarnishing his legacy. I think that is a ridiculous line of thinking. How ungrateful it is to attach terms and conditions to the amazing moments he has provided us over the course of his career. What position are we in to dictate to him how he should manage his career when it is he who achieved those successes in the first place? What's more, this is his life and the passion that sustains it, it is not for us to decide when his career is over when it is he who must bear the genuine ramifications of that decision. Since I'm sure money is not a concern, the only question on which the decision should rest is whether he truly continues to enjoy competing. He has retired once before, but the desire to compete is what brought him back. We see a lot of negative body language and he does genuinely look miserable when he is not playing well, but only he will know when he wakes up the next day whether he wants to go and do it all over again. If he wants to compete, he should, it's as simple as that, this is a decision that should not involve anyone else but him and his family. He should not retire to indulge the whims of the media or the public. What satisfaction would he receive by being forced into retirement? What closure would it bring to such a brilliant career? When Phil Taylor decided to retire, his decision was final and resolute. I believe RvB needs to get to this point himself, no matter how many 70 averages it might take. We see the likes of John Part continue to compete on a regular basis well past his prime, I say more power to him, and who knows, further glory could be around the corner, it's darts after all, you just never know. Sometimes I worry that RvB is acutely aware of the clamour for him to retire and that this pressure may even have an impact on his performances as he begins to question whether there is even a place for him in darts anymore, further compounding his poor form and creating a vicious loop. Perhaps to take his future into his own hands would provide him with a levity and freedom that would lend itself to better performances, not to mention an improved wellbeing. In any case, it is under these conditions that one can clear-headedly and definitively settle an issue so profound as retirement, not when you feel you're being rushed out the door. If his performances can no longer sustain his presence on the tour, so be it; as it stands his card seems safe for this year but is in serious jeopardy next year. He could always allow himself to drop off the tour naturally rather than forfeiting his place in the top 64, this could provide a sense of finality while offering a route back through Q-School if he so desired; after all, he's done it before. In conclusion, I just hope that RvB can play - or not play - for his own sake, rather than anyone else's, so that when the time comes he can be in no doubt as to his decision, leaving no lingering questions, so that he can reflect with no regret or uncertainty on the marvelous career he has had.Deduce635826-09-2026
- Luke Littler has been good for the sport of darts, no question. But he is not above it. For his sake and ours, he needs to be put in his place sometimes, rather than having his every whim catered to. That is not how you build a good person nor a good sporting organisation, and it's beginning to have consequences.Deduce635826-09-2026
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- Great article - but not written by this site. It's taken wholesale from last Sunday's Observer with this interview published online on Saturday.Scoobedybop22-09-2026
- Such sad and pathetic little losers giving abuse to young woman for any reason, let alone who she is in a relationship with. Go Beau! An absolute star and comes across as a genuinely nice and kind person. Wish her nothing but the best.BandB22-09-2026
- I wouldn't mind if he quit now to be honest. He's not bigger than darts. Let's face it without darts he'd just be a normal fat gamer kid.medinabello22-09-2026
- You know,I said this,in a sentence,not 5 paragraphs!!rick6721-09-2026
- Oh dear,he lost. Well any competitive sport runs the risk of defeat. He is, currently,his own worst enemy. Wind the crowd up,and you get it back bigger. Put your dummy in kidrick6721-09-2026
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