Stephen Bunting, the tournament’s most prominent name on day one of the New Zealand Darts Masters, suffered an early exit after being knocked out in the round of 16 by Australia’s Raymond Smith in Auckland. Smith dominated the match, stringing together five consecutive legs and ultimately securing a 6-2 win over the third‑seeded Bunting.
He posted an impressive average of 99.81, hit 86% of his double attempts and clinched the decisive moment with a spectacular 124 checkout that landed on the bullseye. After the victory, a visibly thrilled Smith said, "It feels pretty awesome. It’s been eight years since I last stepped onto a PDC stage, so I’m really excited." He added that the recent progress of the Australian Darts Association (ADA), the DPNZ circuit, and the ANZ Premier League has been instrumental in preparing players for high‑stakes events.
"The PDC’s investment in the Oceanic region is starting to pay off, and you can see that in the results," he explained. Smith’s win earns him a quarter‑final clash with fellow Australian Adam Leek, who survived a tense encounter against Ross Smith, surviving six match darts before prevailing in a final‑leg showdown on his debut at the World Series of Darts.
Leek’s gritty performance sets up an intriguing all‑Australian quarter‑final that could further highlight the rising standard of darts in the region. Meanwhile, top‑seeded Dutchman Gian van Veen put on a masterclass, averaging over 97 as he thrashed New Zealand’s World Cup representative Jonny Tata 6-1.
Van Veen now advances to face 2022 runner‑up Jonny Clayton in the quarter‑finals. Clayton, the Welshman, recovered from a 4-2 deficit to defeat local favorite Haupai Puha, showcasing the resilience that has become his hallmark. The schedule also includes a reminder for fans: darts action will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and viewers can stream additional coverage through the NOW platform.
For those who enjoy deeper analysis, the "Love the Darts" podcast offers interviews, commentary, and behind‑the‑scenes insights. In other round‑of‑16 results, 2022 champion Gerwyn Price breezed past Mark Cleaver 6-1, setting up a quarter‑final meeting with Damon Heta. Heta, who rallied from behind by taking five legs in a row, secured his spot by edging out Ben Robb in a nail‑biting finish. The quarter‑final line‑up also features a showdown between Josh Rock and James Wade after each overcame tough opponents – Rock defeated Simon Whitlock, while Wade dispatched Kayden Milne.
All match times are listed in UK and Ireland time zones. The detailed results from the last‑16 stage (best of 11 legs) are as follows: - 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 The quarter‑finals are scheduled for Saturday, August 15, starting at 8 a.m., and will also be contested over a best‑of‑11‑leg format. The match‑ups are: - Gian van Veen vs Jonny Clayton - James Wade vs Josh Rock - Gerwyn Price vs Damon Heta - Raymond Smith vs Adam Leek The semi‑finals will be played as best of 13 legs, with the final to be contested over a best of 15 legs, though the exact pairings will be confirmed after the quarter‑finals conclude.
Looking ahead, darts will return to Sky Sports for the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, which runs from September 28 to October 4. Young talent Luke Littler will defend his title, promising another exciting chapter for the sport. Fans can continue to stream live darts and a broad range of top‑level sports via the NOW service, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action.
Overall, the New Zealand Darts Masters has already delivered several surprise results and highlighted the growing competitiveness of Oceanic players on the global stage. With Smith’s upset over Bunting, van Veen’s dominant display, and the upcoming high‑stakes quarter‑finals, the tournament is shaping up to be a compelling showcase of skill, determination, and the expanding reach of professional darts.