World champion Luke Humphries' nine-darter not enough to prevent Rob Cross storming to Baltic Sea Open title in Kiel; watch the Premier League Darts every Thursday night up until the Play-Offs at London's O2 on Thursday, May 23 - live on Sky Sports
Sunday 12 May 2024 23:21, UK
Rob Cross withstood a Luke Humphries nine-darter to clinch the NEO.bet Baltic Sea Open title with a thrilling 8-6 victory in Sunday's final in Kiel.
Both players threw five 180s each and averaged over 104 in a high-quality contest.
World champion Humphries looked on course to claim a seventh European Tour title when he opened up a 5-3 lead over Cross with a sensational nine-darter in front of a delirious crowd at the Wunderino Arena.
But Cross delivered an emphatic response, winning four of the next five legs before hitting a 100-checkout to seal the second European Tour event victory of his career and £30,000 prize money.
"To hit back-to-back 12-darters to win was great and I'm happy that I've won something - it's been a while!" Cross said.
"It's an amazing experience to come up and win something again. I've got a new regime at the minute and it's working. I feel much better, much fresher in the longer days and long may it continue."
"Me and Luke always have good games and I really enjoyed it," added Cross. "He's number one for a reason - he's the best player on the planet.
"I like playing Luke and he likes playing me - he's probably got the upper hand of late. He's got the world at his feet and we have a great friendship."
The Premier League continues with Night 16 at the Utilita Arena, Sheffield on Thursday, May 16, as Michael Smith and Nathan Aspinall collide in a winner-takes-all quarter-final showdown.
Reigning world champion Humphries goes head-to-head with Gerwyn Price, teenager Luke Littler will play Peter Wright for a place in the semi-finals, while Michael van Gerwen and Cross are also in action.
Cross can no longer gatecrash the top four ahead of the play-offs, but second-placed Humphries is the only man who can stop Littler from finishing first in the league phase.
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Premier League Darts continues on Sky Sports on Thursday, May 16 with Utilita Arena, Sheffield the next stop on the 17-week extravaganza all the way through to the Play-Offs at the O2 Arena in London on Thursday, May 23. Stream the darts and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
