Cross first into final in Minehead at Players Championship Finals after convincing victory over Clayton

Rob Cross will face either Michael van Gerwen or Luke Humphries in the final of the Players Championship Finals later this evening in Minehead after seeing off Jonny Clayton 11-7 in the semi-finals.

It was a convincing win for Cross who produced a 97 average, six 180's and a high checkout of 132 edging ahead in a late surge after a close middle part of the tie.

To begin the tie, Clayton squandered four darts to hold and Cross took out 76 to pick his pocket and doubled his lead with a 132 checkout on the bull. Clayton though hit three on the spin including a leg in which Cross hit two 180's but lost it to go 3-2 up.

It remained fairly level in the mid part of the game with Cross hitting a 127 checkout to go 6-4 up though to regain the advantage.

But going 8-6 ahead, he missed two darts for 9-6 and Clayton hit a 72 checkout to keep himself firmly involved at 8-7 down.

Superb scoring though from Cross saw him stretch his lead again though with a 10-7 lead and he pinned double 10 for the win.