"It speaks volumes about where my game is" - Cross delighted to take first TV title in two years

Rob Cross managed to take the title at the New Zealand Darts Masters on Saturday after a thrilling comeback. 'Voltage' outlasted Nathan Aspinall 8-7 in a decisive leg.

With this, Cross ended a two-year period in which he failed to capture a televised title. His last major title dated to the European Championship in 2021.

Cross had to make up a 5-2 deficit, including two breaks, in the final against Aspinall. Through a 12-darter, 13-darter and two 14-darters, the Englishman came back to 6-6. Moments later it was 7-7, in which Cross struck via an 88 finish for the final victory.

“To win this title is absolutely amazing,” Cross, who also won the 2018 Brisbane Darts Masters, told the PDC after the event. “At the moment, every chance you give Nathan he normally takes, but he let me off a little bit later in the game, after I missed some opportunities early on," the former world champion reflected on the final.

It pleased the world number eight to see the way he took the title in New Zealand. “The standard is so high, so when you can win [a title] when you’ve not been at your best, it speaks volumes about where my game is."

Cross sees his final victory at the New Zealand Darts Masters as a fond memory. “It’s all memories. When I pack up eventually, I will look back and see what I’ve won and remember the great moments and people along the way.”