The Bullet Just Crushed Rob Cross's Dreams (and His £30K Payday)

By Lewis Barnett 7 June, 2025 5 mins read 49 Views

God, what a weekend for drama.

So there I was, watching Stephen Bunting absolutely demolish Rob Cross in Copenhagen – 8-4 in the Nordic Darts Masters final – and I couldn't help thinking about the timing. Poor Cross. The guy's been dealing with financial nightmares all week, and then Bunting swoops in like a ghost at a family reunion to snatch away that £30,000 prize.

Cross came so close to becoming the Great Dane of Darts (see what they did there?). He'd beaten Andreas Harrysson 6-4, completely destroyed Chris Dobey 6-0, and took down Gerwyn Price 7-4 in the semis. The man was on fire.

Listen to the Content

When Everything Falls Apart on Saturday Night

But Saturday night at the Forum Copenhagen? Different story entirely.

Cross looked gassed. "I probably ran out a little bit of steam," he admitted afterward, and honestly, you could see it. The intensity caught up with him. He wanted this win so badly – especially after Thursday's bombshell news about his company troubles.

"I wanted to know that there is no foot on my head," Cross said, and damn if that doesn't hit different when you know what he's been through.

The £450K Problem Nobody Saw Coming

Here's where things get messy. The Insolvency Service dropped a hammer on Cross Thursday morning – turns out his company, Rob Cross Darts Limited, failed to pay over £450,000 in tax. The former electrician got disqualified as a director until 2030, and apparently withdrew more than £300,000 that should've gone to creditors (including HMRC, who don't mess around).

My editor bet me £20 that Cross would mention the financial stress in his post-match interview. He didn't directly, but you could feel it hanging there.

The guy also took out over £400,000 as a director's loan before the company went into liquidation. Ouch. Now he's locked into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement – basically agreeing to make monthly payments that'll vary based on how well he throws those tungsten beauties.

Bunting's Beautiful Timing

Meanwhile, Stephen "The Bullet" Bunting from St Helens just kept doing what he does best. Nearly nailed a 170 finish (would've been gorgeous), and walked away with his second World Series title this year.

"The way I have been playing, I was wondering if I was going to win another title again," Bunting said afterward. His doubles had been "atrocious" lately – his words, not mine – but when it mattered most, he delivered.

Cross goes home with £16,000 instead of £30,000. A chunk of that heads straight to his IVA payments.

Remember When Cross Was Untouchable?

Back in 2018, this same Rob Cross absolutely trounced Phil Taylor 7-2 in the World Championship final. On his debut appearance! The man was electric.

Seven years later, he's fighting different battles. His management team won't comment on the financial mess (smart move), and Cross himself keeps pushing forward: "I'll carry on fighting. I never shy away from nothing."

That Copenhagen crowd was buzzing though – Cross called them out specifically, and you could tell he genuinely loved being there despite everything falling apart around him.

Sometimes the oche becomes your sanctuary when real life gets too heavy. This weekend, it almost worked for Cross.

Almost.

Frequently Asked Questions

My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?

Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?

Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

Statistics

A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."

External Links

How To

Throwing Technique: The Basics

The perfect dart throw is all about consistency. Your arm should move like a pendulum, with the elbow as the pivot point. The dart should travel in a straight line toward the target, not in an arc.