World Champion Rob Cross made it six winners from six events in the World Series so far in 2018 after he defeated Michael van Gerwen 11-6 in the final of the Brisbane Darts. In a repeat of their World Championship semi-final last winter, Cross faced the world number one, MVG, in Sunday’s final event of the PDC’s Down Under tour and came out on top just like we called last week. For Voltage, it was his first televised title since his victory at Alexandra Palace in January and also his first ever World Series Crown.
Cross opened the best of 21-leg match poorly, missing two darts and allowing Van Gerwen to step in and break, before a 114 finish from the Dutchman in the follow-up leg put him ahead. Voltage responded by starting his comeback with a run of four legs in a row, which included a brilliant finish of 130. The running streak was ended emphatically when Mighty Mike took out 170 for a 12 dart break and then retook the lead a 130 finish of his own.
From the mid-point of the match, Voltage began to take charge going on to land six maximums while reeling off a run of seven straight legs to finish with an average of 106 in what was a truly impressive performance from the World Champion. In truth, he had dominated Van Gerwen, the World Series’ most successful ever player, for most of the match, giving a performance that was more than enough to secure the title at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Earlier on in the evening, Van Gerwen defeated his countryman Raymond van Barneveld 11-9 to reach the final, while Cross secured his place in the final with an 11-8 win over Peter Wright in the semis.
The World Series concludes in Vienna in November where the final events will run over three days. The players now enjoy a week off to get over their jet lag before the German Darts Championship take place from August 31st to September 2nd.