New Zealand’s darts sensation Ben Robb has significantly extended his lead at the top of the DPNZ Tour standings after a sensational weekend in Nelson. Robb secured his third title of the season and reached another final, demonstrating remarkable form and resilience. This dominant performance puts him in a strong position as he chases the coveted spot at the PDC World Championship.
The DPNZ Tour, a crucial stepping stone for New Zealand’s top darts players, saw an electrifying weekend unfold in Nelson. The event, the third of the season, drew 85 talented players from across the country, all vying for ranking points and the ultimate prize: a spot at the PDC World Championship for the overall tour winner.
Ben Robb’s Relentless Pursuit of Glory
Ben Robb, already a force to be reckoned with, arrived in Nelson with two titles under his belt from the initial four tournaments. His goal was clear: to solidify his position at the summit of the DPNZ standings. What followed was a display of consistent excellence and nerves of steel.
Tournament 5: A Third Title for “Big Rig”
Saturday’s fifth tournament of the year became another chapter in Robb’s dominant season. He navigated the group stage undefeated, showcasing early control. His journey through the knockout rounds, however, was far from straightforward, demanding every ounce of his skill and composure.
- In the Last 16, Robb faced Frank Bush, emerging victorious with a 4-3 win in a deciding leg. His performance was marked by an impressive 100 average, a testament to his scoring power.
- The semi-final brought an even greater test against Darren Herewini, where Robb famously survived a match dart against him before clinching a thrilling victory.
- The final saw Robb up against the surprising Jordan Bennett-Davies, who had previously overcome strong contenders like Mark Cleaver (4-2) and Kayden Milne (5-2).
The final itself, despite the pre-match intrigue, quickly turned into a masterclass from Robb. He stormed to a 3-0 lead, including a brilliant 101 checkout. While Bennett-Davies managed to get on the scoreboard with an 18-darter, Robb swiftly reasserted his dominance, closing out the match convincingly. The final score was 3-2, securing his third title.
Tournament 6: A Close Call and a New Champion
Sunday brought the sixth tournament, and Robb was aiming for a double triumph. Once again, he was undefeated in the group stage, securing his spot in the knockout phase. However, his journey through the knockouts proved even more dramatic.
- In the Last 32, “Big Rig” found himself 3-1 down against Darren Herewini, facing multiple match darts before mounting an incredible comeback to win 4-3. This demonstrated his incredible fighting spirit.
- Robb then swept aside his opponents, dropping only two legs on his way to the final. This included a dominant 6-0 whitewash over Haupai Puha in the semi-finals, signaling his peak form.
The final pitted Robb against Jonny Tata, a PDC World Championship participant from the previous year. Tata had also shown strong form, defeating Jordan Whyte 6-3 in his semi-final. The final was a captivating affair, with both players trading blows.
The match was evenly poised at 3-2 in Robb’s favour, but Tata then unleashed a flurry of high checkouts, including 117 and 124 finishes, to take a 5-3 lead. Robb immediately broke back, but couldn’t hold his own throw in the crucial moments. Tata capitalized, securing the final two legs with finishes of 70 and 108, to claim a 7-4 victory and his first title of the season.
Tournament Results Highlights
Here’s a quick look at the decisive stages of both tournaments:
DPNZ Tour 5
- Quarter-finals:
- Craig Pullen 5-2 Max Dallimore
- Jordan Bennett-Davies 5-2 Kayden Milne
- Ben Robb 5-1 Haunui Hira
- Darren Herewini 5-1 John Hurring
- Semi-finals:
- Jordan Bennett-Davies 6-2 Craig Pullen
- Ben Robb 6-5 Darren Herewini (Robb survived match dart)
- Final:
- Ben Robb 3-2 Jordan Bennett-Davies (Robb wins his third title)
DPNZ Tour 6
- Quarter-finals:
- Jonny Tata 5-0 Scott Menzies
- Jordan Whyte 5-3 Mark Cleaver
- Ben Robb 5-1 Nicole Regnaud
- Haupai Puha 5-0 Max Dallimore
- Semi-finals:
- Jonny Tata 6-3 Jordan Whyte
- Ben Robb 6-0 Haupai Puha (Dominant performance)
- Final:
- Jonny Tata 7-4 Ben Robb (Tata claims his first title)
The Race for the PDC World Championship
With six out of twelve tournaments now complete, Ben Robb has established a commanding lead in the DPNZ Tour standings. He currently holds a 1450-point advantage over his closest rival, Kayden Milne, with Jonny Tata hot on Milne’s heels.
The stakes are incredibly high: the player finishing at the top of the DPNZ Tour rankings after all twelve tournaments will earn a coveted spot at the prestigious PDC World Championship. Robb’s recent performances have significantly bolstered his chances, making him the strong favourite to represent New Zealand on the global stage.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
