The DPNZ Tour in New Zealand is proving to be a thrilling battleground, with darts stalwarts Kayden Milne and Ben Robb once again dominating the scene. In Christchurch, they each claimed a title over the weekend, with Milne securing Tour 3 and Robb triumphing in Tour 4. This consistent performance has seen Ben Robb climb to the top of the overall standings, closely pursued by Kayden Milne, as both aim for the coveted spot in the PDC World Championship at the end of the twelve-tournament series.
Milne Claims DPNZ Tour 3 in a Thrilling Finish
The New Zealand Darts scene is buzzing with excitement as the DPNZ Tour continues to showcase fierce competition and exceptional talent. The latest stop saw 97 players descend upon Christchurch for Tour 3 and Tour 4, delivering a weekend packed with drama and high-stakes darts.
Just as he did in the opening weekend, Kayden Milne demonstrated his early-tournament prowess by securing the first title of the Christchurch weekend, DPNZ Tour 3. Milne navigated the group stage flawlessly, remaining undefeated. His journey through the knockout phase, however, was a testament to his clutch performance, requiring a decisive final leg in three separate matches against Jamie Hamill, Josh Roberts, and Frank Bush – all of which he won.
The semi-final saw a highly anticipated clash with his main rival, Ben Robb, which Milne won 6-4. In the final, Milne faced Jack Sheppard, who had surprisingly defeated Jonny Tata in the quarter-finals.
The final match was a rollercoaster, unfolding in three distinct phases:
- Milne’s Strong Start: Kayden Milne took the first three legs, establishing an early lead.
- Sheppard’s Fightback: Jack Sheppard responded by winning the next three legs, leveling the score.
- Milne’s Decisive Finish: In the crucial closing stages, Milne rediscovered his form, winning the final four legs consecutively to seal a convincing 7-3 victory.
DPNZ Tour 3 Results Overview:
Quarter-finals
- Jack Sheppard 5-3 Jonny Tata
- Max Dallimore 5-3 John Hurring
- Ben Robb 5-3 Jordan Bennett-Davies
- Kayden Milne 5-4 Frank Bush
Semi-finals
- Jack Sheppard 6-5 Max Dallimore
- Kayden Milne 6-4 Ben Robb
Final: Kayden Milne 7-3 Jack Sheppard
Robb Strikes Back with DPNZ Tour 4 Victory
The second tournament of the weekend, DPNZ Tour 4, mirrored the pattern of the first weekend’s second event: Ben Robb, known as ‘Big Rigg’, once again emerged victorious. Robb’s path to the final was dominant; he won all his group matches and then conceded a mere four legs throughout his knockout stage encounters.
In a highly anticipated semi-final rematch, Robb exacted his revenge on Kayden Milne, delivering a decisive 6-1 victory and showcasing his top form.
The final pitted Robb against Mark Cleaver, and it proved to be a nail-biter. Cleaver made a strong start, building a significant 5-2 lead. However, Robb, known for his resilience, staged a remarkable comeback. He won the final five legs consecutively, with impressive finishes in 21, 13, 15, 17, and 18 darts, to snatch the title with a 7-5 win. Cleaver had three darts at a double to force a deciding leg but couldn’t convert, allowing Robb to complete his incredible turnaround.
DPNZ Tour 4 Results Overview:
Quarter-finals
- Craig Pullen 5-2 Darren Dummigan
- Mark Cleaver 5-3 John Hurring
- Ben Robb 5-1 Josh Walters
- Kayden Milne 5-2 Haupai Puha
Semi-finals
- Mark Cleaver 6-4 Craig Pullen
- Ben Robb 6-1 Kayden Milne
Final: Ben Robb 7-5 Mark Cleaver
The Race for the PDC World Championship Spot Heats Up
After four of the twelve DPNZ Tour tournaments, Ben Robb has taken over the top spot in the overall standings, capitalizing on a quieter weekend for previous leader Jonny Tata. Robb is now closely followed by Kayden Milne, who is just 50 points behind. The stakes are incredibly high, as the player who finishes at number one in the standings after all twelve tournaments will secure a coveted spot in the prestigious PDC World Championship, representing New Zealand on the global stage. The consistent performances of Milne and Robb suggest this battle will go right down to the wire.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
