Kiwi star Jonny Tata picked up his second ANZ Premier League victory of the season, adding to his opening-night success with a 5–2 triumph over Simon Whitlock in the Adelaide final.
With just a few weeks to go before the play-offs, Adelaide – that sun-soaked South Australian beauty – provided the backdrop for night five. A city, incidentally, named after Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, wife of King William IV. Yes, that’s your trivia quota ticked off early – now, let’s get to the darts.
Tata, who started the night clinging onto the final play-off spot, began in style with a comfortable 5–2 win over Brody Klinge, before brushing aside James Bailey, dropping just a single leg. Smooth, confident, clinical – like a man who fancied another trophy.
Meanwhile, Simon “The Wizard” Whitlock (above) needed a big night to stay in the top-four hunt – and he delivered early on. In what many called the match of the night, the bearded Aussie edged Tim Pusey 5–3, both averaging in the 90s and both giving the crowd their money’s worth.
The World Cup winning legend then dispatched Raymond Smith, the league leader, in a ruthless 5–1 demolition, reminding everyone why he’s still box office in the Oceanic scene.
But when it came to the final, the spell fizzled. Whitlock never quite found his rhythm, while Tata was ice-cold on doubles and ruthless on scoring. The Kiwi stormed to a 5–2 win, moving up to second in the table, just behind The Guru himself, Raymond Smith.
And there’s even better news for Tata – next week’s action is in Wellington, meaning home advantage for the in-form New Zealander. Win there, and he’ll be all but guaranteed a play-off berth.
Mind you, the other seven lads won’t make it easy for him – and something tells me Whitlock’s not done brewing a little late-season magic either.
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
