Wednesday 11 October 2017 15:20, UK
Rob Cross added a fourth Players Championship title to his memorable debut season on the PDC Pro Tour, beating Adrian Lewis in Tuesday's final.
The former electrician has made an amazing introduction to life on the professional circuit this year, and his success on Tuesday means that he now tops the Players Championship Order of Merit going into November's Finals in Minehead.
Cross, who suffered a first-round defeat at the World Grand Prix in Dublin, picked up the £10,000 top prize in Tuesday's ProTour event adding to Players Championship 21 to triumphs in events 3, 12 and 19 and once again he did it in style.
His run to the final saw him demolish Ron Meulenkamp before victories over Craig Gilchrist, Steve West and World Grand Prix semi-finalist John Henderson saw him into the last eight.
A 6-0 demolition of Keegan Brown followed and a 6-2 win over Irish Matchplay winner William O'Connor saw him through to a final against two-time world champion Lewis in the final.
Jackpot beat out Brendan Dolan, Joe Murnan, Mike De Decker, Jeffrey de Zwaan, Gerwyn Price and Jermaine Wattimena on his way to the final where the pair shared the opening two legs before Cross' reeled off three on the bounce to take control.
He landed six perfect darts as he won the third, pinned double 10 to break in the fourth and cleaned up 51 to lead 4-1.
Lewis hit back in the sixth before Cross finished 90 on the bull to move one leg away from the title, and though Lewis replied with a maximum and a 76 checkout to claim his third leg, two missed darts to continue his challenge allowed Cross to finish 64 for victory.
"It's nice to come out and play the best in the world and compete, and Adrian is fantastic," said Cross.
"Over the last eight months I've learned to pull through the 6-5 games that I might have lost, and that's how this is possible.
"Winning is a good habit to get into, and the first event I won was majorly important. Instead of coming into the room and saying that I believed I could do it, I knew I could do it, and that's the difference.
"I've got the hunger to win and I want everything. I don't want to lose a leg, let alone a game, and this is a massive confidence boost for going forward.
"To do what I've done this year is fantastic and I've over-achieved from my expectations. To go to Minehead as the number one seed, if that was to happen, is an achievement and something to be proud of.
"I've only had three or four goes on the TV but I'm starting to feel more comfortable and fingers crossed I can get my best game out up there soon."
Other notable achievements in the finish of two days in Barnsley saw Ireland's O'Connor making his first PDC ranking semi-final, Dave Chsinall land the day's only nine-dart finish and last week's World Grand Prix champion Daryl Gurney make the last 16 before losing out to Gerwyn Price.
Wednesday sees the PDC ProTour double-header at the Barnsley Metrodome conclude with Players Championship 22 - the year's final £75,000 tournament.
Following the Players Championship 22, the top 64 from the Players Championship Order of Merit progress to compete in the Players Championship Finals at the Butlins Minehead Resort from November 24-26.
Just over a month to go until the Grand Slam of Darts where the best of the PDC compete against the best of the BDO - the action from the Wolverhampton Civic Hall gets underway on Saturday, November 11 with a double session.
Keep up to date with the news at the tungsten enters it's busiest time of year with the PDC World Championships just around the corner get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts
