Darts’ globetrotters are back on home soil and off to Barnsley chasing ranking points in Super Series 7.
World No.1 Gerwyn Price, newly-crowned European champion Rob Cross and ‘Mighty’ Michael van Gerwen head a stellar field taking part in four days of cut-throat action at the Metrodome.
There is £75,000 up for grabs on each of the four days and plenty to play for as we get to the business end of the darting calendar.
Cross Crowing After Ending Drought
A lot of players have been chalking up the air miles over the last month or so with PDC events having been staged in Hungary, Denmark, Gibraltar and last weekend in Salzburg where Cross beat Michael van Gerwen 11-8 in the European Championship final.
That was a massive confidence lift for Voltage, the former world champion who had gone almost two years without a televised win.
𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡!
A second European title for Rob Cross as he backs up his victory in 2019 by doing it again in 2021.
What a weekend for Voltage as he is crowned the 2021 @CazooUK European Champion
pic.twitter.com/hgrp2w2wWk
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 17, 2021
There had been plenty of glimpses since he last won a big one but, by his own admission, nowhere near enough consistency which was why he was delighted to finally string a series of decent efforts together. And it also means his confidence is soaring ahead of the Grand Slam, the World Championship and the four one-day tour bunfights that make up Super Series 7 this week.
Little Doubt Over Big Guns’ Pedigree
These Players Championship events are the bread-and-butter of the PDC tour and without the distraction of crowds or TV lights, it’s widely accepted that it levels the darting playing field a bit.
Having said that, we’ve had 23 Players Championship events already this season and just look at the rollcall of winners. Gerwyn Price has won a couple, Jose de Sousa three and Peter Wright four. Indeed, of the 15 different winners of the first 23 PC dust-ups, only three come from outside of the world’s top 30. And one of those just happens to be a five-time champion of the world, the great Raymond van Barneveld.
So while it’s tempting to think outsiders have a better chance in these lower-key events the formbook is still a pretty good guide. And, of course, a lot of the lower-ranked players in the draw need a couple of decent days to make sure they’ll be keeping their cards for next season and that creates pressure of its own.
Aspinall Eyeing up First Win of ‘21
There are a few members of the world’s elite who have yet to put a tick in the winner’s column for 2021.
Gary Anderson, the double world champ, plays less than most but is overdue a win – he last tasted a victory of any kind, here at Barnsley in February 2020.
Dave Chisnall and Krzysztof Ratjaski normally excel on the floor but are yet to register while Nathan Aspinall is another yet to visit the winner’s enclosure in 2021. Surely reaching the European Championship semis in Salzburg on Sunday will have done The Asp the power of good.
*All odds correct at time of writing