Rob Cross won the Dutch Masters title (John Walton/PA) (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Rob Cross clinched his fifth World Series title with an 8-5 triumph over Stephen Bunting in the Dutch Masters final. Earlier this month, Bunting had secured the Bahrain Masters and was vying for back-to-back World Series titles, but Cross edged out in a closely-fought contest to take the win.
Bunting’s path to the final included impressive wins against world champion Luke Littler and darts legend Raymond van Barneveld, while Cross dispatched Jermaine Wattimena and Gerwyn Price en route to the final. In the Saturday showdown, “Voltage” Cross quickly established a 3-1 lead before Bunting narrowed the gap, only for Cross to extend his lead again with a precise double 20 finish.
“The Bullet” Bunting fought back, winning two consecutive legs and then spectacularly levelling the score at 5-5 with a stunning 130 checkout, clinching the leg on the bullseye. Despite Bunting’s valiant effort, Cross captured the next two legs and sealed his victory with a double eight finish, claiming his fifth World Series crown.
Cross had previously overcome Wattimena in the quarter-finals and then faced Price, who narrowly defeated Kevin Doets, in the semi-finals. “Voltage” took command early on, leading 4-2 and hitting a 121 checkout for a three-leg advantage, ultimately breezing into the final with an outstanding 100.48 average.
Bunting’s road to the final was marked by a nail-biting win over Van Barneveld, decided in the last leg.
Bunting beat Littler in the semi-finals (Zac Goodwin/PA) (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
In the semi-finals, Littler, who secured his place by defeating reigning champion Michael van Gerwen 6-3 in a repeat of the World Championship final, faced off against Bunting. Littler took an early lead with consecutive 11-dart finishes, but Bunting managed to level the score at 3-3.
The match was closely contested, with the 18-year-old hitting 40 to force a deciding leg. Despite Littler’s impressive average throw of 107.59 in the semi-final, it was Bunting who advanced to the evening’s main event with an 11-darter, concluding with an 81 checkout.