Cross seals comeback win over Dobey in World Matchplay thriller

Former champion Rob Cross is still involved in this year's World Matchplay after prevailing over Chris Dobey in a superb comeback thriller on Monday evening.

Cross came from 8-2 to down to see off Dobey in a tiebreak with doubles deserting the Bedlington thrower with the finishing line in sight and 'Voltage' sparked into life and took full advantage.

To begin the tie, Cross missed four darts at double 18 and Dobey doubled his lead early on. He picked out double 16 from there to lead 4-1 at the interval.

Cross was sat at just 17% on doubles but reduced the deficit to 4-2 only for Dobey to streak ahead again. It was further trouble for Cross as Dobey pinned double 16 to break again and stretch his advantage to 6-2. He hit double five to go further ahead at 7-2.

He crashed in 94 to go two away at 8-2 at the next interval. But with the finishing line in sight, Dobey couldn’t pin 82 and Cross hit 76 to go 8-3 down and break back.

He consolidated on double 10 to go 8-4 down. He was given dozens of chances to break back again with Dobey unable to close out the leg before finally pinning double five for 8-5 down and he was throwing to go just two down.

He sealed the hold to go 8-6 down. A double double 129 checkout was missed by Cross but Dobey’s doubling disaster continued as Cross helped himself to another break as he suddenly looked for parity.

He was suddenly level hitting double 16 for 8-8. Finally Dobey stopped the rot with a 47 checkout to go one away at 9-8. But a tie-break was set with a 74 checkout to make it 9-9.

Cross hit a 70 checkout to break again and lead for the first time at 10-9 before pinning double eight for the win with Dobey way back.