In a gripping display of darts at the International Darts Open, Rob Cross secured a narrow 6-5 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode. The match was remarkable for a rare feat: every single one of the eleven legs played was won by the player who started it, meaning neither competitor managed to ‘break’ their opponent’s throw. Despite his strong form on the floor, Van Duijvenbode’s struggle on the European Tour continued as he failed to convert crucial opportunities, ultimately allowing Cross to advance.
The International Darts Open witnessed a classic encounter between two formidable players, Rob Cross and Dirk van Duijvenbode. For ‘Aubergenius,’ as Van Duijvenbode is known, this match was another chapter in what has become a challenging run on the European Tour circuit. While he’s been in excellent form in floor tournaments, the stage events have consistently presented him with tough draws, and facing former World Champion Rob Cross in his opening match was no exception.
A Battle of Holds: No Breaks Allowed
From the outset, the match settled into a predictable rhythm: the player who started the leg, won the leg. This pattern held true for all eleven legs, creating an incredibly tense atmosphere where every missed opportunity felt magnified. For those unfamiliar with darts, a ‘hold of throw’ means winning the leg when it’s your turn to start, while a ‘break of throw’ is winning a leg started by your opponent. The fact that there were no breaks meant both players were consistently hitting their doubles when it mattered most on their own throw.
Cross took the initiative in the first leg, and the scoreboard advanced to 4-4 with both players holding serve. Van Duijvenbode had a glimmer of hope in the third leg, creating the only real chance to break Cross’s throw in the initial stages, but couldn’t convert. The highlight of the first eight legs came from the Dutchman, who produced a fantastic 127 checkout on the bullseye, showcasing his finishing prowess.
Crucial Misses and a Narrow Escape
As the match neared its conclusion at 4-4, the pressure intensified. Van Duijvenbode saw his best chance to break finally emerge in the ninth leg. However, despite having opportunities, he agonizingly missed five crucial darts at the outer ring (doubles), allowing Cross to escape what seemed like an inevitable break. Cross capitalized on this reprieve, securing his own throw to move to match point at 5-4.
Undeterred, Van Duijvenbode showed resilience, immediately responding with a superb 12-dart leg to level the score at 5-5, forcing a decisive final leg. However, in the ultimate showdown, he couldn’t replicate his earlier heroics. Rob Cross, composed and clinical, calmly worked his way to a double, finishing the match with a 16-dart leg to clinch a hard-fought 6-5 victory. The former World Champion’s ability to hold his nerve and capitalize on his opponent’s errors proved the difference.
Match Statistics at a Glance:
- Dirk van Duijvenbode:
- Average: 99.18
- Double Percentage: 31.3%
- Rob Cross:
- Average: 95.13
- Double Percentage: 37.5%
Despite Van Duijvenbode’s higher average, Cross’s slightly superior double percentage and Van Duijvenbode’s missed opportunities on the crucial outer ring ultimately sealed the Dutchman’s fate in this memorable, all-hold contest.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
