SACRIFICE WORTH IT FOR CROSS

ROB CROSS is the darts world champion who missed the birth of his daughter to chase ranking points at a floor tournament in Barnsley.

But, eight months later, Cross was celebrating a stunning triumph that will last in the record books from here to maternity.

Hours after sending legend Phil Taylor into retirement with a stunning 7-2 triumph in the William Hill PDC world championship final at Alexandra Palace, Cross was back on parade at the Harlow fame factory where tungsten engineers Target make his arrows (above).

The former electrician, 27, put his circuit boards away 16 months ago to concentrate on his first season in professional darts. And he could not have caused a bigger shock. But Cross (with eldest daughter Imogen, above) revealed the price of fame included missing the arrival of his third child, Maddison, last April.

He said: “I missed her birth because I was playing darts. It was very hard.

“I was trying to qualify for the World Matchplay and needed to play in everything. The missus pushed me to do it, and when I said I would make the birth, she said, ‘No, you can’t, get to the Matchplay and try to kick on’.

“Without my family it wouldn’t have been possible to do what I’ve done in the last year. They know I play darts for them, that it’s all about trying to give them a better life.

“In my previous life, I had to get up at 4.30am and, if I didn’t turn up, you don’t get paid.

“It gave me a good work ethic and helped me knuckle down as a player and treat it like a job. I don’t abuse it.”