The Hungarian Darts Trophy has been plunged into controversy after teenage sensation Beau Greaves sensationally accused former World Champion Rob Cross of “planting sensors” on the oche following her heartbreaking 6-5 defeat in Saturday’s second round.
In a stunning European Tour debut, the 22-year-old Greaves pushed the 2018 world champion to the absolute limit. She led 5-4 and was throwing for the match, only for Cross to produce a nerveless 12-dart leg to force a decider, before edging the final leg with a clinical 64 checkout.
But the post-match handshake was notably frosty, and Greaves did not hold back in her on-stage interview.
“I knew something was off from the first leg,” Greaves told reporters, visibly agitated. “My rhythm felt completely different on that board. Rob was hovering around the oche between throws more than usual. I’ve seen the tech they use in practice—those micro-sensors that measure foot pressure and weight transfer. Someone planted them under the mat on my side.”
The Doncaster thrower, who has dominated the women’s circuit with record-breaking averages, claimed she noticed a “slight bump” under the carpet when retrieving her darts.
“It’s not coincidence that he suddenly found an extra 10 points on his average in the last three legs after I complained to the ref,” she added. “They knew I was onto it.”
Cross, taken aback by the allegation in his own press conference, dismissed the claim with a wry smile.
“Beau is a phenomenal player—she will win multiple world titles, male or female,” said ‘Voltage’. “But that’s sour grapes, pure and simple. I don’t even know how to pair a sensor to my phone, let alone plant one mid-game. She outplayed me for long stretches, I just held my nerve.”
The PDC has confirmed it will review the match footage but stated there is “no evidence” of tampering. Tournament referee George Noble added that the oche was inspected before the match and found to be standard.
Fans on social media are divided, with some praising Greaves’ bravery in speaking out, while others call it an uncharacteristic lapse in sportsmanship from the usually stoic star.
The defeat denies Greaves a landmark quarter-final spot, but her performance—averaging 98.4 and hitting five 180s—proves she belongs on the biggest stage. Whether she returns to Budapest next year, however, may depend on the PDC’s investigation into her explosive claims.