DARTS: STEVE Beaton fell at the second hurdle at the PDC World Darts Championship, a tournament eventually won by novice Rob Cross, writes Josh Green.
Cross, who in 2015 failed to go beyond the last 64 stage of the BDO World Championship, beat Phil Taylor 7-2 in the final.
Beaton’s World Championship road ended before Christmas though as he was knocked out by Vincent van der Voort.
The Dutchman – who lost to fellow countryman Raymond van Barneveld in the following round – stringed off four sets to defeat the Coventry-born star.
Van der Voort was out of the blocks quickly, landing a 129 checkout to get the ball rolling.
He continued his sensational start to wrap up the first set with a 114 average.
The pair traded blows in set two before Van der Voort took out 102 for a crucial break of throw.
He would maintain a 103 average as more missed doubles from Beaton allowed him to double his advantage.
A ton checkout gave Var der Voort a commanding lead in set three, but a last-gasp double five led to a deciding leg.
But Van der Voort would hold his nerve to go within one set from a third-round appearance at Alexandra Palace.
Van der Voort’s fourth maximum edged him ahead in the fourth set, but Beaton would fight back yet again.
However his opponent would hold his nerve to win.
