Rob Cross forced to leave Dutch Darts Masters trophy BEHIND after beating Stephen Bunting in final
ROB CROSS nearly pulled a muscle as he struggled to lift his latest darts pot.
Voltage became the Boss of Den Bosch on Saturday night when he beat Stephen Bunting 8-5 in the final of the Dutch Darts Masters.
For the former world champion, it was his FIFTH success on the World Series of Darts circuit in seven years, following his triumphs in Australia (twice), New Zealand and the US.
Yet lifting the Toon Greebe Trophy in the post-game ceremony proved problematic.
And he had to leave it behind in Holland because it was too big for his luggage allowance on the flight home.
Cross, 34, said: “There is one other trophy that is a bit heavier and that’s the Worlds.
“I thought I was going to pull a muscle when I lifted it. I thought: ‘Don’t do it!’
“It nearly slipped out of my hand. But it’s amazing to come here and win.
“We turn up and play all over the world. If you are not winning, it doesn’t mean anything. This is special.
“I don’t think I have room for it to take home. Anyone got a spare case? It’s very heavy…”
Cross – who faces a qualifier on Thursday night at the new-look World Masters in Milton Keynes – is not one to complain about the constant travel and living out of a suitcase.
He said: “Sometimes I’m not always at my best but I still get results.
“No-one has a gun to their head. This sport is not a matter of life or death. Go out there and enjoy it. Embrace it.
“Name me another sport where you go up on stage as an individual and get treated like that. It’s truly amazing.
“I cannot get that buzz anywhere in life. I shouldn’t tell my missus that. I have four kids. You have gotten me a divorce now!
“I had to break a sweat to win this one. I love the World Series. I’m very fond to it. I enjoy going around the world.
“As much as we might all moan here and there about the flights, without it I’d have an average job and be another person, who would carry on working the way I was.
“I always say I can beat the best players in the world – but I can also lose to Mickey Mouse tomorrow morning.
“I love the TV lights. I am a bit guilty at the ProTours, behind closed doors, it is a bit harder to get up for them. Every TV tournament I want to win and play well.”