Dutch Darts Masters: Rob Cross holds off Stephen Bunting in closing as Luke Littler units event document however loses

Rob Cross held off a Stephen Bunting fightback to win the Dutch Darts Masters with an 8-5 triumph within the closing.

The victory is Cross’ first title of 2025 and his fifth on the World Sequence Circuit, however his first World Sequence occasion win in Europe.

His opponent Bunting had entered the event because the No 1 seed following his victory in Bahrain within the opening World Sequence occasion of the 12 months, and made his rating depend till he got here face-to-face with what had been scientific darts from Cross all through the event.

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Cross got here out stuffed with confidence and received off to the higher begin, his consistency on the trebles plus sturdy doubling serving to him to a break of throw within the opening leg that carried him onto a 4-2 lead.

Bunting rallied and took three legs on the spin with back-to-back 12-dart legs and a 130 checkout on the bull to convey the ultimate degree at 5-5.

Nevertheless, world No 4 Cross stayed calm beneath the strain and took management as soon as once more for 3 extra legs in a row, cementing the win on D8.

“Clearly the group has been sensible,” Cross advised ITV.

“I believe it’s about time I received in Netherlands. I’m very grateful.

“Stephen [Bunting] is a good man… he’s a credit score to the game. I’m simply so grateful that I received.”

‘Voltage’ booked his place within the closing with a complete 7-3 victory over Gerwyn Worth.

Cross received off to the higher begin within the battle and made it depend with a break of throw within the third leg serving to him transfer 4-2 in entrance, a 121 checkout then scientific darts on his personal throw wrapping up the dominant win.

He had began his evening with a robust 6-3 victory over Jermaine Wattimena.

The sport went with the darts for seven legs till ‘Voltage’ lastly struck, pinning 100 on tops for a decisive break of throw earlier than ending off the competition on D8.

Bunting beats Littler, Barney en-route to a different closing

Bunting booked his spot within the closing with a dramatic 7-6 victory over reigning world champion Luke Littler, the 18-year-old averaging a event document 107.59 however nonetheless strolling away with a loss.

Littler, who beat ‘The Bullet’ 6-1 within the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship, received off to an electrical begin as he pinned back-to-back 11-darters however Bunting managed to battle again and located a vital break of throw of his personal to convey the competition degree at 3-3.

With a break from every participant shifting the sport to 4-4, Bunting got here via with a clutch 125 checkout to maneuver 6-5 forward earlier than taking out 81 on D12 to make it into the ultimate on the primary time of asking.

Bunting arrange the conflict in opposition to Littler with a 6-5 last-leg shoot-out victory over Dutch stalwart Raymond van Barneveld.

In what was a weird contest with disastrous shows on the doubles and busts for each, Bunting used his superior scoring to offer himself respiration area within the closing leg and finally wrap issues up on D16.

Littler and MVG renew rivalry for first time since Worlds

Of their first assembly because the World Darts Championship closing, Littler held off a mid-match combat again from 2024 Dutch Darts Masters champion Michael van Gerwen to wrap up a complete 6-3 victory of their quarter-final conflict.

Van Gerwen was in his personal yard and seeking to avenge his worlds loss to the 18-year-old however Littler took the early momentum to maneuver 3-0 forward, the Dutchman taking a while to search out his groove.

Regardless of MVG then profitable three legs on the spin, Littler’s huge scoring proved pivotal and he raced to take the remaining three legs, wrapping the match up on tops in scientific trend.

After 14 conferences between the pair, the scoreline is now 8-6 in Littler’s favour with the victory guaranteeing a brand new winner of the Worlds Sequence occasion.

Elsewhere, Worth held off a late rally from Kevin Doets of their quarter-final, wrapping up the competition with a superb 145 checkout in a last-leg shootout.

Doets had alternatives to take management of the sport however missed alternatives on the doubles value him, lastly battling again to 5-5 with a giant break of throw.

Nevertheless, in a nervy closing leg, the ‘Iceman’ lived as much as his nickname and got here via with the large end, leaving Doets to rue what may have been.

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