Flanders Darts Trophy Saturday afternoon Round-up | Rob Cross ends Martin Schindler's World Grand Prix hopes as Smith, Dobey, Searle progress

The second day of action at the Flanders Darts Trophy was headlined with the important race for the World Grand Prix with some specific darters being afforded one last chance to try and qualify for the major event in Leicester.

Martin Schindler was one of the players in desperate need for wins to secure his spot at the last second in the World Grand Prix. However, he averaged just 84.67 as his performance tailed off in a sloppy affair against Rob Cross, who managed to win 6-4.

Schindler showcased his intention from the off, taking out 85 with a satisfying bull shot before Cross got back at him on double three. Following another two commanding holds, the tables turned after Schindler got just one dart for a 60 outshot thanks to a missed big number. He spurned that chance and ‘Voltage’ pounced.

The big numbers would prove to be crucial in the next leg. Both players missed attempts on double six and three before Schindler pinned double one when on three, subsequently busting his score. Cross showed him how it was done and backed up the break with a hold. It could have been another break if the former world champion was more clinical. Schindler pinned tops at the fifth time of asking and closed the gap to 4-3. Three more squandered efforts by Cross allowed the German a chance he thought would never come. Double 16 was nailed in a much more clinical manner and Schindler had parity.

The old problems for Schindler were cropping up with the five segment being hit more times than he would have liked, leading on to woeful scoring visits. Cross managed to find another gear and motored away at the end. Cross stumbled through as Schindler goes back to the drawing board.

Ross Smith is the number one in Europe thanks to his incredible performances, winning two titles in the process. He averaged over 100 to seal an eye-catching 6-2 win over Jeffrey de Graaf. Smith began by winning the first two legs in 29 darts before another hold went his way. De Graaf had just one dart at the bull in this period, but a bit of a blip by his opponent allowed him to get back on terms; a 107 outshot the highlight. However, after breaking back Smith nailed double 12 to put him 4-2 to the good. A dart at tops which fell closer to the treble did not put the number 12 seed off a

Ryan Searle was in trouble after falling to an early deficit but would win six legs on the spin with a 60% checkout rate and three ton+ checkouts to see off the home favourite Andy Baetens 6-2. 'The Beast from the East' came out of the blocks like a rocket. A 13-dart hold was followed with a break of throw, but he was instantly reeled in with Searle surviving three darts at tops to pin the target himself for a 105 outshot. From a break down, 'Heavy Metal' pushed himself 3-2 to the good with a 122 checkout on the bull. It was one-way traffic for Searle who secured a double break lead after Baetens failed to close the gap. He could have won it with a nine-darter but had to settle for a 12-darter with a 110 checkout concluding a fabulous performance.

Similar to Searle, Chris Dobey is one of the most accomplished darts players not to have won a European Tour title. It was a scrappy affair against Niels Zonneveld Yesterday, Zonneveld fell 3-0 down against Petr Tous before winning the remaining six legs to survive a scare. He fell behind by the same scoreline today, but against a much better opponent. The Dutchman got on the board with a 26-darter with both players spurning numerous efforts. The same events occured in the next leg with a 22-dart hold by Dobey being followed by a second break that seemed to spell the end for 'Tripple Z.' Dobey finished with a flourish, taking out 68 in two to set up a tie against Searle.

Luke Woodhouse has been one of the inform players in 2026. The champion in Kiel averted the tough test of William O'Connor in a commanding 6-3 victory. An 88 checkout in two was a good start before a 16-dart break sealed 'Woody' a sturdy lead. O'Connor missed a dart to break back before pinning the bull to get his first leg under his belt. The bullseye segment remained elusive for both with a 170 and 161 missed on the bounce. Woodhouse was the first to clean up and the match stayed on throw throughout. This suited the Englishman who breezed over the finishing line.

Joe Cullen, who sits 16th, will breathe a huge sigh of relief after seeing not just Schindler lose, but Karel Sedlacek who was not at the races in a 6-3 loss against Jermine Wattimena. It almost started with a bang for Sedlacek who missed double 16 for a 132 outshot. His finishing was sloppy in the early stages as Wattimena seized the initiative, having been gifted a 3-0 lead thanks to 10 missed doubles by ‘Evil Charlie.’ A 101 outshot was backed by another commanding hold and the Czech’s Leicester hopes were drifting away. He prevented the whitewash before a brilliant 150 finish showcased his class. A third leg on the spin teased a comeback, but the fifing power was just not there in the end as Wattimena ended whatever slim World Grand Prix hopes Sedlacek had.

There were no World Grand Prix concerns for either of Krzysztof Ratajski or Kevin Doets. It was a very tight match, but in an 11th leg the Dutchman survived a match dart to prevail 6-5. After missing the double for 101 and 106 checkouts, ‘Hawkeye’ took out the 140 on double 10 before a 74 outshot in two blasted him ahead with a key break. As he took a 4-1 lead, he was firmly on top, but the Pole turned it round. Two legs on the spin got the match back on throw before Doets missed three darts to edge one away from the match. A clutch dart in double 10 got Ratajski level at 4-4 before a brace of holds forced a final-leg decider. Doets got down to 96 in nine darts, but the first match dart went the way of Ratajski who skied an effort at tops for a 120 checkout. Doets pinned that target and can breathe a sigh of relief with a hard-fought win.

No troubles for Danny Noppert who comfortably disposed of fellow countryman Chris Landman 6-2. This match had the potential to be over very quickly with the start Noppert had. After a slightly sketchy leg which involved ‘The freeze’ missing the board and a big number, 82 and 101 checkouts put him 3-0 to the good. He got another for a double break before Landman woke up. Out of nowhere the Big Fish was reeled in as he instantly broke back before making it 4-2. His resurgent form was not set to prolong as Noppert firmly slammed the door shut to confirm a ninth Sunday on the European Tour in 2026.