Rob Cross Darts: the man who tamed the current
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From power lines to the throne of world darts — Rob Cross is still one of the maddest modern darts stories.
Rob “Voltage” Cross did not creep into the PDC like a normal new pro. He came from electrical work, family pressure, one massive risk and then somehow ended up beating Phil Taylor in Taylor’s last great World Championship final. Here we look at the story, the Target Rob Cross setup and why his darts feel more like tools than jewellery.
Contents
Want to jump straight in? Here are the main stops in the Rob Cross story.
- 40 metres up: life before Ally Pally
- Patty’s Insider Check: the king-slaying moment
- The last match of “The Power”
- Grip for working hands
- Voltage Quick Check
- Patty’s Oche Check
- Check Rob Cross darts on Amazon UK
- Not a one-hit wonder with a flashbulb
- Patty’s verdict
- FAQ
- More on Rob Cross, Phil Taylor and Target
- Sources & player profiles
- Official darts bodies & sources
40 metres up: life before Ally Pally
Before Rob Cross wore the crown of world darts, he was often up there in the wind, working as an electrician and keeping the power running. The nickname “Voltage” was basically a joke from workmates. But real life was waiting at home: family, pressure, responsibility and no soft little safety net.
Then he took the risk. Job gone, darts in hand, future wide open. There was no pretty Plan B. Just Rob, his darts and the kind of all-in decision that sounds romantic only when it works afterwards.
Patty’s take: This is why the Cross story still hits. He was not a polished academy kid. He was a working bloke who stepped into the biggest darts room in the world and somehow did not blink.
The king-slaying moment
In the 2018 final, the impossible happened. The apprentice sent the master into retirement. Rob Cross played so coldly it almost looked like the board was just another wiring diagram.
Phil Taylor was not just another opponent. This was “The Power”, the man who had ruled darts for years, standing in his final World Championship match. And Cross did not stand there asking for permission. He took the title.
That is the brutal bit: Cross did not just win a final. He closed a chapter of darts history while half the room still could not believe what it was watching.
The last match of “The Power”
Phil Taylor obviously did not want to finish his career with some soft handshake and a polite wave. This was his last big stage, his last World Championship final, his last chance to remind darts who had owned the place for years.
And then Rob Cross arrived. No myth, no old monument, no 16-time world champion. Just a man who had been pulling cables not long before. That is exactly why this story still cracks so loudly.
It was not just the result. It was the feeling. Taylor’s era had its last great moment — and Cross walked straight through it.
Grip for working hands: why Rob Cross throws differently
Rob Cross has that working-hands feel about him, and his darts match it. The Gen 2 setup uses radial grip and a direct barrel feel. It is not trying to feel gentle. It is trying to give the fingers something clear to hold onto.
He is strongly linked with lighter darts around the 21g range. For a man of his build, that is not heavy at all. But it suits his rhythm: quick, direct, snappy and not hanging about at the back of the throw.
That is why the Rob Cross setup feels different from some smoother pro darts. It is more voltage than velvet.
For your own game: if you like a clear grip and a quick throw, this type of dart can make sense. If you float the dart out softly, the grip may feel a bit too much.
Voltage Quick Check: Target Rob Cross Gen 2
- ⚡ Weight: often played around 21g, good for quick rhythm and a flatter, direct throw.
- ⚡ Grip: radial grip with clear bite, useful if your fingers need real feedback.
- ⚡ Material: Target lists the Gen 2 SP as 90% tungsten steel tip darts.
- ⚡ Point system: Swiss Point, so points can be changed more easily with the right tool.
- ⚡ Finish: aqua/teal-style accents and a clean polished Target look.
Patty’s note: Target lists the Gen 2 in 21g, 23g and 25g. If you want the real “Voltage” feel, do not just grab any weight blindly. 21g and 25g are not the same animal.
Not for velvet gloves
When you pick up the Target Rob Cross G2, you feel it straight away: this is a tool. The grip is direct and bites properly.
My advice:
If you have sweaty hands or often feel like you “lose” the dart at release, Rob Cross darts can be a very strong fit. They stay present in the fingers. But if you have a very gentle, almost soft release, they may feel too aggressive. This is a dart for players who actually want to grab hold of the throw.
Check Rob Cross darts on Amazon UK
Target Rob Cross 95K Swiss Point 21g
A 95% tungsten steel-tip Swiss Point model. Amazon’s G2 listing is a different, older generation.
Amazon carries the older 90% G2 steel model, not the 95K; the generation and grip package differ.
If you want to check the Target Rob Cross Gen 2, pay proper attention to weight, steel tip version and the right generation. Rob Cross sets exist in different versions, and Amazon can throw similar-looking options into the mix.
Important: for a normal steel dartboard, you want steel tip / Swiss Point. Also check the weight before ordering. 21g, 23g and 25g can feel very different in the hand.
Target Rob Cross Gen 2 90% Tungsten Swiss Point Steel Tip Darts →
Direct Amazon UK product page for the Rob Cross Gen 2 steel tip darts. Check the exact weight, stock and seller before ordering.
Quick check & availability
Amazon UK stock changes all the time. Certain weights, older Rob Cross versions or Swiss Point sets can disappear quicker than you can properly compare them.
My tip: if the link shows out of stock, check another weight or come back later. Quite often the whole product is not gone — only one specific weight or version has vanished for a bit.
If you spot an outdated link, send us a quick message and I will clean it up.
Not a one-hit wonder with a flashbulb
After a World Championship story like that, plenty of people just wait for the new champion to vanish. With Rob Cross, that did not happen.
In 2019 he won the World Matchplay. He also picked up European Championship titles and kept proving that the World Championship was not just one mad January evening where everything clicked.
That makes his darts more interesting to me. They are not just a souvenir from a fairy-tale final. They are material from a player who went on and kept delivering after the lightning hit.
That matters: Cross is not only “the man who beat Taylor”. That is the headline, sure. But the career after it is why the name still belongs in the Target pro conversation.
Patty’s verdict: a head decision at the oche
Hand on heart: the best darts in the world do not throw themselves. But when you stand at the oche and feel the grip catching exactly where it should, that gives you a mental calm you cannot force with training alone.
It is about trusting the material without thinking about it every visit. When that trust is there, the little voice about release, grip and hand position gets quieter. Then it is just you, the tungsten and the board.
No sparkle show, no theatre. Just a direct dart for players who want feedback and do not mind a barrel that talks back a bit.
FAQ – Rob Cross Edition
What darts does Rob Cross play?
This page focuses on the Target Rob Cross Generation 2 Swiss Point darts. Target lists the Gen 2 SP as 90% tungsten steel tip darts, available in 21g, 23g and 25g.
⚡ Why does Rob Cross use relatively light darts?
Rob Cross is strongly linked with lighter darts around the 21g range. That supports his quick, rhythmic throwing style. Lighter darts ask for clean technique, but they can also help with a flatter, faster flight.
Who are Rob Cross darts suitable for?
They suit players who like a clear, direct grip. If your hands get sweaty or you want strong feedback in the fingers, the radial grip can be very useful. If your release is very soft, they might feel too bitey.
Why was Rob Cross’ 2018 World Championship win so special?
Because Cross won the World Championship in his first PDC World Championship year and beat Phil Taylor in Taylor’s last big match. That is not just a title. That is one of the wildest stories this sport has thrown at us.
What makes the Rob Cross Gen 2 grip special?
The dart uses clear radial grooves and a direct grip feel. That gives the barrel plenty of hold and feedback. For players with sweaty hands or a firmer grip, it can fit really well.
Are Rob Cross darts good for beginners?
They can work, but they are not the softest beginner dart. The grip is direct and gives honest feedback. If your release changes every session, something more forgiving may be easier at the start.
What should I check before buying Rob Cross darts?
Check steel tip, Swiss Point, generation and weight. Rob Cross products can appear in several versions, and 21g, 23g and 25g can feel very different in the hand.
More on Rob Cross, Phil Taylor and Target
If you want to dig deeper, these are the next useful reads on Rob Cross, the legend Phil Taylor and the whole Target brand world.
- The legend Phil Taylor: the full story & PDC roots → The man Rob Cross beat in the 2018 final, in Taylor’s last great World Championship match.
- New generation Luke Littler: “The Nuke” and Target power → Another Target player where darts suddenly feels like future, pressure and stage noise all at once.
- Brand check Target Darts Pro Check: all pro series at a glance → Phil Taylor, Rob Cross, Luke Littler and more Target players in one big pro setup check.
- Stars & legends Darts Stars & Legends on DartWorldHub → Back to the big names, old heroes and new faces around the oche.
Rob Cross: profiles, gear and career data
Here are the places I would use first for Rob Cross player information, Target gear and career data. Not random shop noise — proper reference points.
- Official profile PDC: Rob Cross player profile → Official PDC profile with player information, rankings, tournament data and career overview.
- Target profile Target Darts: Rob “Voltage” Cross → Official Target page for Rob Cross, his career notes and the Target range built around him.
- Target gear Target Rob Cross Gen 2 SP → Official Target page for the Gen 2 SP steel tip darts with 90% tungsten, Swiss Point and weight options.
- Career data Darts Database: results, history and player info → Archive with results, tournament history, titles and statistical data for Rob Cross.
- Titles & records Mastercaller: match data, titles and records → Player profile with titles, statistics and career overview.
- More stats Darts Orakel: profile and extra statistics → Additional data and statistics around Rob Cross.
Official darts bodies & sources
If you want to look beyond one player and into the official darts world, these are useful organisations for pro darts, national darts and the wider game.
- Professional darts Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) → Official PDC site with news, tournaments, players, rankings and the modern pro tour around players like Rob Cross.
- World federation World Darts Federation (WDF) → International darts body with events, member nations, competitions and worldwide darts information.
- England England Darts → Official governing body for darts in England, covering national teams, events and grassroots darts.
- Scotland Scottish Darts Association → National darts organisation for Scotland with event, team and competition information.
- Wales Welsh Darts Organisation → Welsh darts body with national darts information, competitions and official updates.
- Ireland Irish National Darts Organisation → Irish darts organisation with information around national competitions and organised darts in Ireland.
- USA American Darts Organization (ADO) → US darts organisation with rankings, events and national darts information.
- North America Championship Darts Corporation (CDC) → North American pro darts organisation and a useful source for the wider English-speaking darts scene.