"It hurt me massively" - Matchplay disappointment still on Cross's mind in edgy first round victory at the New Zealand Darts Masters

Rob Cross is through to the second round at the New Zealand Darts Masters although it was hardly a vintage display from 'Voltage', emerging victorious from an edgy tie with Warren Parry.

"I've had a lot of time off, since the Matchplay I didn't pick a dart up," says Cross to Online Darts post-match. "But I thought today was my best day on the practice board, thought I was brilliant in places. Once I got up there though I was a little bit edgy. No excuses, just happy to win, get on to tomorrow and hopefully it goes better."

Still fresh on the mind of the Englishman is his disappointing showing at the 2023 World Matchplay, where he suffered a first-round exit at the hands of Daryl Gurney.

"It hurt me, it hurt me massively. It was a bit like tonight, I picked up a few legs later on but I'm so slow out of the gate. Just leaving myself with mountains to do and it's not good enough, that'll have to change," he admits. "From September it's flat out, I'm actually pretty busy this month so I just sort of need to play myself back in."

Next up at the New Zealand Darts Masters for Cross is Jonny Tata who shocked Peter Wright in his first round matchup.