ROB CROSS AND RYAN SEARLE secured their tour cards and two nine-darters were hit as the PDC Unicorn Challenge Tour came to a close with events 13-16 at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan.
With the top two players from the Challenge Tour Order of Merit securing a two-year tour card, it was a tense closing weekend with plenty to play for.
But ultimately, the two players who began the weekend in the top two, ended it that way with more impressive outings.
On Saturday, Cross dropped just 10 legs in his opening six matches as he stormed to the Challenge Tour 13 title and scooped another £2,000 prize.
To top it off, he also hit a nine-darter in his semi-final win over Kirk Shepherd – his second perfect leg of the year.
Another good run in Challenge Tour 14 saw Cross reach the quarter-finals, but it was Richie Burnett who claimed the title – his second of the year.
There was also another perfect leg hit on Saturday. This time Richard Baillie with the honours as he hit a nine-darter against Burnett in their third round clash.
Going into Sunday’s action, all was still to play for.
Cross then ensured his tour card, and top spot on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit by winning event 15.
After coming through a tough preliminary round with a 5-4 win over Fabian Herz, Cross then secured an incredible four whitewashes in his remaining seven matches, including the 5-0 demolition of Searle in the semi-finals and Martyn Turner in the final.
That £2,000 prize secured Cross his card before the final competition, with Searle’s run to the semi-final also putting him in a strong position.
However, there were still seven players in with a shout of securing their tour card ahead of Challenge Tour 16, including the likes of Burnett and Barry Lynn who had won contests earlier in the year.
Burnett was best placed to challenge Searle, but an early exit ended his chances. Lynn, who beat Gary Anderson at the Coral UK Open in March, also suffered a first round exit to end his hopes.
29-year-old Searle then produced some of his best darts of the year, dropping just eight legs and registering two whitewashes to secure his tour card in spectacular fashion.
It was Searle's second title of the year, having won Challenge Tour 7 and also reaching the final on another occasion as he racked up £7,400 in prize money.
Cross topped the charts with £9,700, having won three events and making the final of two more.
The two players will now have the opportunity to play on the ProTour from 2017.