Rob Cross proves pre-PDC World Darts Championship credentials by beating Van Gerwen in Leeds
PDCThursday, 04 December 2025 at 13:30
Rob Cross claimed victory on Wednesday night at the eighteenth edition of the Dazzler, the exhibition tournament held in Leeds. It was a welcome result for Voltage, who has endured a difficult year on the PDC Tour, perfectly timed ahead of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship.
Cross was one of several big names involved at the event, which drew hundreds of darts fans. Vincent van der Voort was in attendance, as were Nathan Aspinall and Simon Whitlock. Michael van Gerwen also made the trip to Leeds after completing two exhibitions in Finland, while Karel Sedlacek was another of the invited players.
It was Sedlacek, in fact, who managed to beat Van Gerwen in the semi-finals, edging a 4–3 win. As a result, Van Gerwen missed out on reaching a third consecutive exhibition final. Last Sunday he lost the final of the International Darts Cup in Tampere to Luke Humphries, before beating Luke Littler in the final of another exhibition the following day.
In the other semi-final Cross proved too strong for Whitlock, winning 4–2 after having already defeated Van der Voort 4–1 earlier in the night. He then went on to take the title with a 4–2 win over Sedlacek in the final.
The former world champion will play his opening match at the World Darts Championship on Friday 12 December. He faces Dutch-Norwegian player Cor Dekker — a crucial tournament for Cross, who must defend the semi-final ranking money he earned two years ago.
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- This bozo says he can't take darts any further and he's left it in a good place.....no-one cares about this nobody. The PDC was always in a good place before he came along. Does this buffon think the crowd are there for him.richieburnettrocks14-12-2025
- Yes, a warning indeed. He is coming to the buffet table, out of his way. This class A goof continues to blither about how he is playing the best darts of his life and even had the laughable audacity to say he was in the best shape of his life. He had a lucky run at Blackpool and even luckier at the World Championship and is still living off that. His form the past year especially the last 6 months completely sucks. 6 micky mouse titles mean nothing.richieburnettrocks13-12-2025
- I'm a big Huybretchs fan from when he broke through at the euros in the early days, but his action has gone. So jerky and inconsistent. Looking at where he'll be in the rankings, hopefully he can treat the new year as a new start, relax, enjoy it and push on without the pressure of defending lots of ££BandB12-12-2025
- Greaves could win Fallon might win Ashton might get a set Van Leuven could get a set deciders Hayter might get to a doubleBandB10-12-2025
- Congratulations Deta, champion at last. Although I was really hoping Sophie was going to win. Deta had a tough route to the final and a deserved Champion after soooooo many attempts.richieburnettrocks08-12-2025
- Congratulations Zehra, an excellent performance, 3-0 was harsh on Rebecca, she played well and actually won a decent trophy better than what Zehra won. I think it is extremely poor and insulting that the girls prize money is half of what the boys win. At that level it should be equal, girls wanting to take up darts will see the injustice of winnings and could think twice about taking up the sport. Ultimately, winning is the only thing that matters, but I would be vocal about prize money if the female equivalent was double the amount.richieburnettrocks08-12-2025
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- Talent without ambition is like a bird without wingsBandB06-12-2025
- Saying Littler failed at lakeside is a little harsh. He lost to Veenstra with a record 104 average.BandB05-12-2025
- Sophie v Paige warranted a final and deserved a longer format, despite the completely shambolic start to the match regarding the scoring which I think unnerved both players, it was an excellent game. Both are outstanding players with great futures in darts. It was a shame such talented players had to meet so early and that Paige is out, she is brilliant and blitzed Sophie in that first set. Fantastic comeback from Sophie, so calm and nonchalant, survived a real scare but hope she becomes World Champion.richieburnettrocks04-12-2025
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