The Kiwi pairing of Ben Robb and Dean Reyland have punched their tickets to the biggest oche in the land of the long white cloud, securing spots in next month’s SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters.
Robb did it in trademark fashion – efficient, ruthless, and without breaking a sweat – dismantling Jaymie Hilton-Jones 7–1. The lesser-known Reyland had to work for it. He edged out Alan Skayman 7–6 in a thriller that contained more tension than someone trying to rewire a plug with a hangover.
The event is part of the PDC’s annual World Series migration Down Under – where top professionals get to travel halfway around the globe and pit their wits against Australasia’s finest . First stop: Wollongong (which sounds like a town from the Crocodile Dundee films), for the KenoGO Australian Darts Masters on 8th-9th August. Then a week later, the darting juggernaut rolls into Auckland’s Spark Arena for the New Zealand leg.
Both tournaments feature 16-player fields, with eight PDC megastars and eight regional gladiators. Alongside Robb and Reyland, the New Zealand Darts Masters will also feature the majestic mullet of Simon Whitlock and Kiwi top dog, Haupai Puha together with Jonny Tata, Mark Cleaver and John Hurring have also booked their spots via the DPNZ Order of Merit.
Tata, clearly not content with one passport stamp, will also appear at the Australian Masters, having denied Robb a double-qualifier dream with a clinical 7–3 win. He rattled off the last three legs like a man desperate to catch the last train home.
Meanwhile, over in PDC land, the line-up is looking like a Premier League reunion with Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price, Chris Dobey, and Stephen Bunting all locked in. Aussie World Cup skipper, Damon Heta will attempt to keep home hopes alive, and two more PDC names are expected to be announced shortly. Josh Rock would be my shout.
Back in Oceania, the remaining DPA representatives for the Australian Masters will be finalised on July 13th, with the final New Zealand name to be confirmed on July 11th. The final two World Series events of the season are looming. Expect drama, darts, and fans with mullets galore.
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
