Raymond Smith stuns Stephen Bunting at the New Zealand Darts Masters as Adam Leek sinks Ross Smith
Aussie duo Raymond Smith and Adam Leek will collide in the quarter-finals of the New Zealand Darts Masters after dumping out Stephen Bunting and Ross Smith on opening night in Auckland.
Smith stole the show on Friday evening at the Spark Arena, averaging 99.8 and converting six from his seven attempts at doubles to thrash third seed Bunting 6-2.
The three-time Ally Pally qualifier was relentless on the outer ring, following up clinical 92 and 90 combinations with a terrific 124 checkout on the bullseye to clinch victory.
“It feels pretty awesome. Eight years since I last played on a PDC stage, so I’m pretty stoked,” said Smith.
“I think I played really well. What we’re doing in the ADA, DPNZ 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.”
Leek enjoyed a memorable World Series debut, surviving six match darts to stun Smith in a dramatic last-leg decider.
Despite establishing a commanding 4-1 cushion, Smith faltered on the outer ring in the latter stages as Leek won five of the last six legs to set up a showdown against his compatriot on Saturday.
“It’s the best feeling in the world. I’m lost for words,” admitted Leek.
“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 and we’ll see how we go.”
Top seed Gian van Veen impressed on his debut Down Under, averaging 97 in a 6-1 demolition of New Zealand’s World Cup star Jonny Tata.
The Dutch number one will now take on 2022 runner-up Jonny Clayton in the quarter-finals, after the Welshman overturned a 4-2 deficit in accounting for home favourite Haupai Puha.
Meanwhile, 2022 champion Gerwyn Price will take on Damon Heta in the Last Eight after the Welshman converted 67 per cent of his attempts at doubles in a 6-1 demolition of Mark Cleaver.
Heta, meanwhile, produced a superb five-leg burst to complete a comeback victory against Ben Robb, following up legs of 11 and 12 darts with a 105 finish to cap off a classy performance.
Josh Rock and James Wade will also lock horns in the quarter-finals, following opening round wins against Simon Whitlock and Kayden Milne respectively.
Rock defied a valiant fightback from Australian icon Whitlock to close out a 6-4 success, while Wade marked his return to New Zealand with a ruthless whitewash over a struggling Milne.
New Zealand Darts Masters 2026 Day One Results
Friday August 14
First Round
Gerwyn Price 6-1 Mark Cleaver
Ross Smith 5-6 Adam Leek
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
Stephen Bunting 2-6 Raymond Smith
