Dutch Darts Masters: Rob Cross holds off Stephen Bunting in final as Luke Littler sets tournament record but loses | News darts
Rob Cross held off opponent Stephen Bunting to win the Dutch Darts Masters with an 8-5 triumph in the final.
The win is Cross’ first title of 2025 and his fifth on the World Series circuit, but his first World Series victory in Europe.
His opponent Bunting entered the tournament as the top seed after winning the first World Series event of the year in Bahrain, and was banking on his ranking until he faced what was clinical darts from Cross throughout the tournament. tournament.
Cross came out full of confidence and got off to a better start, his consistency on triple passes plus a strong doubling helped him break serve in the first leg to give him a 4-2 lead.
Bunting rallied and took three legs on the spin with legs of 12 darts in a row and a checkout of 130 on the bull to bring the final level to 5-5.
However, world number 4 Cross remained calm under pressure and regained control in three more legs in a row, sealing victory at D8.
“The crowd was obviously great,” Cross said ITV.
“I think it’s about time I won in the Netherlands. I’m very grateful.
“Stephen (Bunting) is a great man … he’s a credit to the sport. I’m so grateful to win.”
‘Voltage’ secured their place in the final with a convincing 7-3 win over Gerwyn Price.
Cross got off to a better start in the fight and managed to make it count with a stoppage in the third leg which helped him to a 4-2 advantage, a 121 checkout and a clinical arrow on his own throw to seal a dominant win.
He started his night with a strong 6-3 win over Jermaine Wattimen.
The game went with a dart for seven legs until ‘Voltage’ finally struck, scoring 100 on top for a decisive throw break before the contest ended on D8.
Bunting beats Littler, Barney on his way to another final
Bunting booked his place in the final with a dramatic 7-6 victory over the reigning world champions Luke LittlerThe 18-year-old averages a tournament record of 107.59, but still leaves with a loss.
Littler, who beat ‘The Bullet’ 6-1 in the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship, got off to an electric start as he fired eleven straight darts, but Bunting fought back and found a crucial break of his own to level the contest at 3-3 .
With a break from each player moving the game to 4-4, Bunting came through with a clutch 125 checkout to move 6-5 ahead before taking out an 81 on D12 to enter the final after the first ask.
Bunting set up a showdown against Littler by beating the Dutchman 6-5 in the final game. Raymond van Barneveld.
In what was a bizarre contest with disastrous doubles and breaks for both, Bunting used his superior scoring to give himself some breathing space in the final leg to eventually finish on D16.
Littler and MVG renew their rivalry for the first time since the World Cup
In their first meeting since the final of the World Darts Championship, Littler fought back the 2024 Dutch Darts Champion midway through the match. Michael van Gerwen wrap up a comprehensive 6-3 victory in their quarter-final clash.
Van Gerwen was in his own backyard looking to avenge his World Cup defeat to the 18-year-old, but Littler took the early momentum to lead 3-0 and it took the Dutchman a while to find his way.
Despite MVG then winning three legs on the spin, Littler’s big score proved crucial and he raced to claim the remaining three legs, finishing the match on top in clinical fashion.
After 14 head-to-head meetings between them, the score is now 8-6 in Littler’s favor, with a win guaranteeing a new World Series tournament winner.
Elsewhere, Price gave up a late rally Kevin Doets in their quarter-finals, concluding the competition with a brilliant 145 checkout in the final shootout.
Doets had opportunities to take control of the game, but missed opportunities in doubles cost him, finally getting back to 5-5 with a big break of serve.
However, in a nervy final stretch, the ‘Iceman’ lived up to his nickname and got to the big finish, leaving Doets to rue what could have been.
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