Rob Cross sees in the new year with a bang by winning the William Hill World Darts Championship, thrashing the great Phil Taylor by seven sets to two in the final on New Year's Day. Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Cross makes his debut in the Unibet Premier League, a 16-week roadshow competition involving 10 of the sport's top players. After defeats on the opening two nights, he recovers well with wins on the next two. Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Cross reaches the quarter-finals of the Coral UK Open Finals at a snowy Butlin's in Minehead before losing out to eventual champion Gary Anderson. Picture courtesy Chris Dean/PDC

Cross beats two-time world champion Anderson for the first time during an unbeaten month in the Premier League which includes two other wins and two draws. Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC