Rob Cross claimed his first title of 2026 at Gamers Championship 22 in Wigan, defeating Maik Kuivenhoven 8-5 within the closing on Wednesday.
Cross – who hadn’t claimed a rating title for the reason that first Gamers Championship occasion of 2025 – received seven video games straight to scoop the £15,000 prime prize on the Robin Park Leisure Centre.
The previous world champion’s win virtually cements his place on the World Matchplay in July, following a powerful day on the oche with a match common of 98.91.
“I always thought I was going to win, and when I’m like that, usually I do win,” assessed Cross, who has received a ProTour title yearly since 2020.
“I’ve had my trials and tribulations. I’ve received so much happening on the minute. If I can get the very best out of my capabilities I consider I can win each day, however typically mentally it will possibly maintain you again.
“Three months in the past you have a look at the World Matchplay [race] and I am out of it. I am most likely £15,000 adrift, however I managed to present myself an excellent kick up the bottom.
“I do know the World Matchplay is across the nook, and I like the World Matchplay. It is all about outcomes, and to win this in the present day may be very particular for me.
“I’ve still got a great support behind me, and if I can carry on playing the way I am, I still think I’m dangerous to the top boys in the world.”
Cross had a convincing begin to the day, choosing off Dutch duo Chris Landman and Jimmy van Schie with consecutive 6-1 victories, together with a 103.43 common in opposition to the latter.
The 35-year-old’s dominance continued, seeing off Connor Scutt 6-2 earlier than bagging one other 6-1 win in opposition to David Sharp within the final 16 with one other spectacular common of 104.73.
Within the quarter-finals, Cross put out Alexander Merkx 6-4 in his closest contest of the day, earlier than triumphing in a marvellous show in opposition to Stephen Bunting to succeed in the ultimate.
The 2019 World Matchplay winner took three astounding checkouts of 170, 127 and 130 to maneuver 3-1 up, earlier than closing out the match along with his third ton-plus common and defying a mean in extra of 104 from Bunting to succeed in his first ProTour closing of 2026.
5 holds of throw kicked off the finale in opposition to Kuivenhoven, earlier than Cross appeared to create respiration room with a break of throw to guide 4-2.
The Dutchman broke again, however Cross produced an exquisite spell of three straight legs, together with a 10-darter to maneuver onto the precipice of victory.
The 2-time European champion spurned 4 match darts within the subsequent leg to permit Kuivenhoven again into the sport, however recovered to win 8-5 and have a good time an eleventh Gamers Championship crown.
Kuivenhoven, in the meantime, broke new floor in reaching a career-first Gamers Championship closing, regardless of falling brief within the closing.
2026 Gamers Championship 22
Final 16
Alexander Merkx 6-5 Cristo Reyes
Rob Cross 6-1 David Sharp
Tommy Morris 6-5 Cam Crabtree
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Andrew Gilding
Gabriel Clemens 6-1 Mickey Mansell
Tom Bissell 6-5 Jonny Clayton
Gian van Veen 6-5 Adam Leek
Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3 Ryan Searle
Quarter-Finals
Rob Cross 6-4 Alexander Merkx
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Tommy Morris
Tom Bissell 6-5 Gabriel Clemens
Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3 Gian van Veen
Semi-Last
Rob Cross 7-3 Stephen Bunting
Maik Kuivenhoven 7-6 Tom Bissell
Last
Rob Cross 8-5 Maik Kuivenhoven
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