Clinical Cross claims 2019 World Matchplay title

Rob Cross secured his second major title at the 2019 World Matchplay after a thrilling 18-13 victory over Michael Smith in the final at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Cross, who claimed a fairy-tale maiden triumph at the 2018 World Championship, held off a spirited fightback from Smith in a high quality final to become only the ninth different World Matchplay winner since the tournament began back in 1994.

The world number two made a dream start to the final, storming to the opening nine legs without reply, only for Smith to rally back to just 13-10 and 15-13 behind.

Cross, however, maintained his composure and took the next three legs on the spin to clinch the £150,000 top prize and the iconic Phil Taylor Trophy.

“It feels amazing,” said Cross. “I’m lost for words – so happy that I’ve won this title.

“I’ve loved this place from day one and it’s been so special to me. Everything about this tournament is amazing and to walk out with this [trophy] makes it all complete. 

“It was a weird game. I went so far in front and towards the end I switched off, so the double 16 to put me 17-13 up was what won it for me. 

“Michael played great darts all week but he struggled on doubles tonight and it made me more edgy. He came back well but I had to stay calm.

“The crowd were amazing, they carried me through yesterday and carried Michael today.”

Smith loses out for the third time running in a major final (Photo by Chris Dean/PDC)

Smith saw his hopes of a maiden major title crushed for the third time, having also finished runner-up in the 2018 Premier League and 2019 World Championship.

The 28-year-old left himself with a mountain to climb after losing the first nine legs amid a string of missed doubles, but fought back superbly to pile the pressure on his World Cup team-mate.

“My doubles deserted me tonight,” admitted Smith. “I was constantly chasing and I didn’t turn up.

“Even at 9-0 down I still believed that I was going to win, but you pay the price for being 9-0 down. I proved that I can fight but when I got back in it, my doubles disappeared again.

“My scoring wasn’t there and my finishing wasn’t, but all credit to Rob because he did a job. I’ve made another final and it’s another runner-up trophy but it won’t stop me.

“I’d rather have got beaten in the first round than lose in that final – it hurts less.

“I’m fuming – I keep making finals but I don’t want to be “the nearly man”, I want to be the one that wins them.”

Having reeled off eight straight legs to win his semi-final against Daryl Gurney 17-15, Cross extended that run by opening the final with another nine in a row to move half-way to victory.

He began the contest with back-to-back 72 checkouts, and added an 81 combination for a 12-darter before punishing misses from Smith in three straight legs to pull clear.

St Helens’ Smith had missed nine doubles during the opening six legs of that spell, but finally found his range to take out 84 in two darts to win leg ten.

Smith also won three of the next four to cut the gap, only for Cross to steady his nerve with finishes of 73 and 115 before punishing five misses from his rival to move 12-4 up.

The 2018 World Championship finalist hit back superbly with legs of 12, 13 and 12 darts as he pulled back to 12-7, before a last-dart double 16 from Cross gave him the 20th leg.

Smith, inspired by a capacity Winter Gardens crowd, claimed another three legs – including an 11-darter – as he pulled back to 13-10, and after Cross finished 110 the St Helens man came from 250 points behind to win the 25th leg on double 18.

The next two were shared, before six misses from Cross allowed Smith to cut the gap to just two legs at 15-13 as he threatened to complete the greatest comeback in the event’s history.

The Hastings ace, though, held his nerve with another 72 combination and posted double 16 to move to the brink of glory and sealed the title with double four.

Sunday July 28

Final

Rob Cross 18-13 Michael Smith