Day one of the New Zealand Darts Masters delivered unexpected thrills and major upsets! Australian newcomer Adam Leek stole the show, surviving an astonishing six match darts to sensationally defeat top player Ross Smith in his World Series debut. Fellow Australian Raymond Smith also impressed by knocking out third seed Stephen Bunting, while Damon Heta staged a remarkable comeback. These dramatic results set the stage for an electrifying quarter-finals.
The Unforgettable Debut of Adam Leek
The opening round of the World Series of Darts in New Zealand kicked off with a bang, featuring several surprising outcomes. The most talked-about match saw Australia’s Adam Leek, making his World Series of Darts debut, achieve an incredible upset. Leek found himself trailing 4-1 against the formidable Ross Smith, a highly-regarded player. What followed was a stunning display of resilience as Leek not only fought back but also survived six crucial match darts from Smith before ultimately securing a dramatic 6-5 victory.
Despite Smith’s strong start, he struggled with his finishing throws in the later stages, creating an opening for Leek. The Australian number two seized this opportunity, clinching his first televised win as a PDC Tour Card Holder. Leek, overwhelmed with emotion, shared, “It’s the best feeling in the world. I’m lost for words… I tried to compose myself as much as I could, and thankfully that last dart went in. It’s a dream come true to play on this stage, so I’ll make sure I’m ready for the next one.”
Australian Powerhouses Shine
Adam Leek wasn’t the only Australian making waves. He is now set to face compatriot Raymond Smith in the quarter-finals. Raymond Smith delivered an equally impressive performance, comfortably defeating third seed Stephen Bunting 6-2. His victory was built on an exceptional average of 99.81 and a remarkable 86% success rate on his doubles. Smith’s finishing was particularly sharp, highlighted by clinical 92 and 90 combination finishes, capped off with a brilliant 124 checkout on the bullseye.
Reflecting on his return to the PDC stage after eight years, Raymond Smith expressed his delight: “It feels pretty awesome… I think I played really well. What we’re doing in the ADA (Australian Darts Association), DPNZ (Darts Players New Zealand) and ANZ Premier League is setting us up for this sort of stuff. What the PDC is investing in the Oceanic region is showing in the results.”
Another Australian, Damon Heta, also showcased incredible fight. He found himself 4-1 down against local favourite Ben Robb but mounted a spectacular comeback. Heta rattled off five consecutive legs, including finishes of 11 darts, 12 darts, and a superb 105 checkout, to win 6-4, proving his championship pedigree.
Top Seeds and Fierce Battles
The tournament also saw strong performances from top international players:
- Top seed Gian van Veen from the Netherlands made a dominant New Zealand debut, averaging over 97 in a 6-1 demolition of Jonny Tata.
- Welshman Jonny Clayton had to battle hard, recovering from a 4-2 deficit to defeat Haupai Puha 6-5.
- Josh Rock overcame a spirited comeback from Australian icon Simon Whitlock to secure a 6-4 victory.
- Veteran James Wade marked his return to New Zealand with a flawless 6-0 whitewash against a struggling Kayden Milne.
- Former World Champion Gerwyn Price demonstrated his class with a routine 6-1 win over Mark Cleaver, converting 67% of his doubles.
Looking Ahead: Quarter-Final Showdowns
The stage is now set for an exhilarating second day of competition, featuring some captivating quarter-final matchups. Intriguingly, the clash between Adam Leek and Raymond Smith is a rare occurrence: it will be the first World Series match between two regional qualifiers since Gian van Veen vs. Danny Noppert at the 2024 Dutch Masters, and only the second such match since 2017. This highlights the growing strength and opportunity for local talent in the sport.
Day 1 Results Overview:
- Gerwyn Price 6-1 Mark Cleaver
- Adam Leek 6-5 Ross Smith
- James Wade 6-0 Kayden Milne
- Josh Rock 6-4 Simon Whitlock
- Gian van Veen 6-1 Jonny Tata
- Jonny Clayton 6-5 Haupai Puha
- Damon Heta 6-4 Ben Robb
- Raymond Smith 6-2 Stephen Bunting
Quarter-Final Pairings (Saturday August 15):
- Gian van Veen v Jonny Clayton
- James Wade v Josh Rock
- Gerwyn Price v Damon Heta
- Raymond Smith v Adam Leek (All-Australian clash)
Winners will advance to the semi-finals, with the ultimate champion decided in the final later the same day. All quarter-final matches will be best of 11 legs, semi-finals best of 13 legs, and the final best of 15 legs.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
