CROSS BEATS CAMMY! ⚡️ Menzies had chances early in that one but Cross' class came through for him in the end as he completes the 6-3 victory over the Scot. 📺 bit.ly/PCF23Live #PCF | R1
Rob Cross, Josh Rock and Stephen Bunting seal first round wins, injury fears for Christian Kist again after 68 average
PDCFriday, 24 November 2023 at 16:50
Rob Cross was one of the main winners as the opening session of action at the 2023 Players Championship Finals heads shortly towards its conclusion in Minehead. He joins a trio of big names all through in a row.
Against Cameron Menzies, the Scot managed to keep up with the former world champion until 3-3, but a bad eighth leg broke him. 'Cammy' missed seven darts in that leg, allowing Cross to reach 5-3 via a 19-darter. Cross then decided the match with a 12-darter.
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Josh Rock cruised to a big win over Rowby-John Rodriguez. Through a 13-darter, two 14-darters and a 12-darter, 'Rocky' managed to grab a 5-2 lead against his Austrian opponent. However, the Northern Irishman then threw two bad legs, giving Rodriguez the opportunity to come back to 5-4. Rock finally pulled out the victory in the tenth leg with difficulty via double 1.
Stephen Bunting won over Mickey Mansell in the first round. By hitting 134 and 164, 'The Bullet' took a 5-2 lead. Mansell made it exciting by coming back to 5-4, but could not force another break. A 16-darter gave Bunting the win.
While Christian Kist had little fun on his return to the Players Championship Finals. 'The Lipstick' competed for the first time since 2017, but an injury threw a spanner in the works.
Kist was affected by a hand injury to his throwing arm leading up to this tournament. As a result, Kist threw an average of only 68 in his match against Ricardo Pietreczko. This allowed the German to easily win the match 6-1. It also adds fears for Kist ahead of his well-deserved Ally Pally return next month after averaging only 68 in Minehead.
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- The pundits glossing over the other factor at play in that match. They appear to be somewhat constrained in what they can say publicly.
UndartedWaters16-11-2024 - So, you don't like Littler, then? I was cheering him on, being a fellow Englishman. Honestly, some of us get far too offended nowadays. If you want to see crowd passion... watch a match when German and Dutch players face off... that can be just as bad if not worse for crowd noises. It happens, I have watched and heard Littler being jeered - Dirk van Duijvenbode in Holland, January this year. Where was your outrage then? Yes, I can clearly see what is going on here.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- It happens. Remember, anyone who has watched German and Dutch players in matches - their respective countries will have seen/heard just as bad jeering (if not worse). Taylor and MVG are two prime examples of professionals who are able to cope with the crowds mentally and not take it personally. This is not just an English crowd problem, FFS.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- Was watching an old World Masters final the other day between Eric Bristow and John Lowe, the crowd respect for both players on throw was first class, not a sound. You can imagine now the idiots who were whistling on De Deckers throw proudly boasting about it on social media. I blame the PDC to a certain extent though doubt they really care as they win regardless of which player wins or loses.Mysstree16-11-2024
- @UndartedWaters I totally agree with your thoughts! I totally respect Kirk but in this instance I was disappointed with his lack of crowd control. I even turned to my husband and said "Could you imagine this happening if Russ Bray was the referee tonight? At least there would have been a crowd admonishment- Ladies and Gentleman please." I so felt for Mike DeDecker...MamaVenus15-11-2024