Cross beaten in Premier League semi-finals

The St Leonards-based world champion lost 10-6 to world number one Michael van Gerwen at The O2 in London.

Van Gerwen, who was never behind, averaged a very solid 103.65 and hit nine 180s to Cross’s five, with both men landing a ton-plus checkout.

The Dutchman hit a 180 on his very first visit to the oche and produced another maximum on his way to a 12-dart opening leg. Cross began the second leg with a 180 of his own and a 14-darter brought him level at 1-1.

Van Gerwen reeled off the next four legs to take control of the match at 5-1. He followed back-to-back 15-darters with an 11-darter in leg five and a 13-darter in leg six.

Although Cross landed his third 180 and finished 80 in two darts to break throw in leg seven, van Gerwen broke straight back in the next leg and another 11-darter gave him a 7-2 cushion.

Cross battled on valiantly with a 15-darter in leg 10 before finishing 48 in two darts to make it 7-4. He then had a dart at double top for 7-5 only for van Gerwen to go 8-4 clear.

Both men hit 180s in leg 13, but van Gerwen produced a superb 128 checkout for a 12-darter to go within a leg of victory. Cross responded with a 12-darter of his own in leg 14 and then checked out 118 on the bull to make it 9-6.