Stephen Bunting, who entered the New Zealand Darts Masters as the tournament's most high‑profile name on the first day, suffered an early exit when he was outplayed by Australian qualifier Raymond Smith in Auckland. The match ended 6‑2 in Smith’s favour after he rattled off five consecutive legs without reply, posting an impressive average of 99.81 and hitting 86 % of his doubles. The decisive moment came when Smith finished the leg with a spectacular 124 checkout that landed on the bullseye, sealing his victory over the third‑seeded Bunting. After the win, a visibly elated Smith reflected on his performance: “It feels pretty awesome.
It’s been eight years since I last stepped onto a PDC stage, so I’m really excited.” He went on to credit the growing strength of the Australian Darts Association (ADA), the DPNZ circuit, and the ANZ Premier League for giving players the experience needed to compete at this level. “What the PDC is investing in the Oceanic region is showing in the results,” he added, highlighting the impact of increased funding and exposure for local talent. Smith’s triumph now earns him a quarter‑final clash with fellow Australian Adam Leek. Leek’s own path to the last eight was dramatic; he survived six match darts against Ross Smith before clinching a last‑leg decider in his World Series of Darts debut.
The upcoming encounter promises a compelling battle between two rising stars from the Southern Hemisphere, each eager to prove that the region can produce world‑class darts players. Meanwhile, top‑seed Dutchman Gian van Veen continued his dominant run, posting a 6‑1 demolition of New Zealand’s World Cup representative Jonny Tata while averaging over 97.
Van Veen’s next opponent will be 2022 World Series runner‑up Jonny Clayton, who staged a remarkable comeback from a 4‑2 deficit to defeat home favourite Haupai Puha and secure his place in the quarter‑finals. The tournament schedule also featured several notable results.
Gerwyn Price, the 2022 champion, breezed past New Zealand’s Mark Cleaver 6‑1, setting up a quarter‑final meeting with fellow Welshman Damon Heta. Heta, in turn, produced a five‑leg surge on the spin to overturn a deficit and defeat Ben Robb, ensuring his spot in the next round. In the other quarter‑final slots, England’s Josh Rock and veteran James Wade both advanced after dispatching Simon Whitlock and Kayden Milne, respectively. The full list of last‑16 outcomes (best of 11 legs) was 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, and Stephen Bunting 2‑6 Raymond Smith.
The quarter‑finals, also played over best‑of‑11 legs, are slated for Saturday, August 15, beginning at 8 a.m. UK time, and will feature the match‑ups: Gian van Veen vs Jonny Clayton, James Wade vs Josh Rock, Gerwyn Price vs Damon Heta, and Raymond Smith vs Adam Leek. The semi‑finals will be contested over best‑of‑13 legs, with the final scheduled as a best‑of‑15 leg showdown.
Beyond the immediate excitement of the New Zealand event, the broader darts calendar is heating up. Sky Sports will resume live coverage of darts with the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, running from September 28 to October 4.
The tournament will see defending champion Luke Littler aiming to retain his title, while fans can also stream additional darts action and other top‑level sport through the NOW platform. For those who enjoy deeper analysis and behind‑the‑scenes stories, the "Love the Darts" podcast offers interviews, highlights, and commentary on the latest developments across the sport.
Whether you’re following the intense battles in Auckland or planning to tune in for the upcoming Grand Prix, the world of professional darts continues to deliver high‑octane competition, surprising upsets, and a growing global fan base. In summary, Raymond Smith’s upset over Stephen Bunting not only marks a personal milestone for the Australian but also underscores the rising standard of Oceanic darts. With strong performances from both established stars and emerging talents, the New Zealand Darts Masters has set the stage for an exhilarating second half of the tournament, culminating in a quarter‑final line‑up that promises high‑quality darts and potential new rivalries.
The event’s outcomes will likely influence future seedings and provide valuable experience for players aiming to break through on the PDC circuit.