By Daily Sports on January 2, 2018

Debutant Rob Cross sealed the PDC World Championship title as 16-time champion Phil Taylor's final appearance ended in a 7-2 defeat at Alexandra Palace.

Cross, 27, who only turned professional at the start of 2017, hit a 167 to go 2-0 up and was soon three sets ahead.

Taylor, 57, who won his last world title in 2013, won 10 legs and had 12 180s in the match, one more than Cross.

But he had no answer to Cross, who won the tournament in fantastic style with a 140 finish.

The pattern of the match was established in the opening set when sixth seed Taylor narrowly missed a 147 checkout but then squandered three more darts as Cross settled into a lead he never looked like surrendering.

'It was an old man against a young man, a mis-match'

Following his comprehensive defeat, Taylor lifted the trophy in jovial style and said of his time at the top in world darts: "It's been marvellous. I've had a fantastic career, [with] the youngsters coming through I just can't do it anymore."

Cross said: "I feel great but it's Phil's last year and it's about him departing. That's why I let him lift the trophy.

"It was my dream to play him 15 years ago and now I have. I was actually born in 1990 when he won his first title."

Taylor added: "I tried my best but he was like me 25 years ago, he was relentless and didn't stop putting me under pressure. (BBC)

•Photo shows Rob Cross celebrating his victory.

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 2, 2018

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