Smith storms to CDC Cross-Border Challenge title in Jersey City

Jeff Smith stormed to victory in the CDC’s inaugural Cross-Border Challenge with a whitewash victory over his compatriot Jim Long in Jersey City on Saturday.

Former World Cup quarter-finalist Smith won 16 consecutive legs in scooping the title at the historic White Eagle Hall, having also dispatched Jules van Dongen and Steve Warnock on Finals Day.

The 16-player event pitted eight American representatives against their Canadian counterparts across two days of competition, and it was Smith who ran out a resounding winner.

The New Brunswick thrower kicked off his campaign with victory over 1994 World Matchplay champion Larry Butler in Friday’s first round, taking out two ton-plus finishes to seal a 4-2 success.

The 47-year-old then produced the performance of the tournament in his quarter-final demolition of Van Dongen, averaging 96 to complete a whitewash victory.

Smith continued his charge with a five-leg blitz of Warnock in the semi-finals, confirming his progress with a sublime 124 checkout.

This set up a showdown against former World Championship qualifier Long in Saturday’s showpiece, which saw Smith breeze to victory in six straight legs to clinch the $5,000 top prize.

Long had edged out his fellow countryman Keith Way in the quarter-finals, and he reeled off five legs without reply to celebrate a 5-2 victory over Jacob Taylor in the last four.

Taylor accounted for CDC Continental Cup winner Alex Spellman in the last eight, while Warnock overcame the enigmatic John Norman Jr before succumbing to eventual champion Smith.

A place in the bet365 US Darts Masters and North American Championship was on offer to the winner this weekend, although Smith was already assured of his spot in New York as a PDC Tour Card Holder.

As runner-up in this year's event, Long has been awarded a spot for the 2023 tournament, where he will be joined by Van Dongen and Spellman.

Canadian number one Matt Campbell - who was competing on the PDC European Tour in Graz over the weekend - will also feature at Madison Square Garden from June 2-3.