Stephen Bunting entered the New Zealand Darts Masters as the third seed and one of the tournament's biggest names, but his campaign came to an abrupt end on the opening day when he was outplayed by Australian qualifier Raymond Smith in Auckland. Smith dominated the match from the outset, delivering a flawless performance that saw him win six legs to Bunting's two, finishing with an impressive average of 99.81. His clinical finishing was evident as he converted 86% of his doubles and capped the victory with a spectacular 124 checkout that landed on the bullseye, leaving the crowd and his opponent stunned. After the match, a visibly excited Smith reflected on his achievement, noting the personal significance of the win.
"It feels pretty awesome," he said. "Eight years since I last played on a PDC stage, so I'm pretty stoked." He went on to credit the growing strength of the darts infrastructure in the Oceania region, mentioning the contributions of the Australian Darts Association (ADA), the DPNZ circuit, and the ANZ Premier League.
"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," he added. Smith's triumph over Bunting earns him a place in the quarter‑finals, where he will face fellow Australian Adam Leek. Leek's own journey to this stage was dramatic; he survived six match darts from Ross Smith before clinching a last‑leg decider on his World Series of Darts debut, showcasing the depth of talent emerging from the region.
Other notable results from the first round included top seed Gian van Veen delivering a masterclass performance, crushing New Zealand World Cup representative Jonny Tata 6‑1 while posting an average above 97. Van Veen now prepares for a quarter‑final clash with 2022 runner‑up Jonny Clayton, who recovered from a 4‑2 deficit to defeat home favourite Haupai Puha, demonstrating his resilience and experience on the big stage. The tournament also featured Gerwyn Price, the 2022 World Champion, who breezed past Mark Cleaver 6‑1, securing a quarter‑final encounter with fellow Welshman Damon Heta. Heta, in turn, produced a thrilling comeback, winning five consecutive legs on the spin to overturn a deficit and defeat Ben Robb, highlighting the competitive parity among the field.
In the other quarter‑final slots, Josh Rock and James Wade earned their places after dispatching Simon Whitlock and Kayden Milne respectively. Both matches underscored the high standard of play and the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in a best‑of‑11‑leg format.
The complete last‑16 results were 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. Looking ahead, the quarter‑final schedule, set for Saturday 15 August from 8 am, lists the following 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 as best of 13 legs, with the final slated as a best of 15 legs, though the exact pairings will be confirmed after the quarter‑finals conclude.
Beyond the immediate action in New Zealand, darts fans can also anticipate a return to Sky Sports with the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, broadcasting live from 28 September to 4 October. The event will feature Luke Littler defending his title, adding another marquee showdown to the calendar.
For those who prefer streaming, NOW offers live coverage of darts alongside a broader range of sports, while the "Love the Darts" podcast provides analysis and commentary for enthusiasts. In summary, the New Zealand Darts Masters has delivered a blend of surprise upsets, dominant performances, and thrilling comebacks.
Raymond Smith's victory over Stephen Bunting not only marks a personal milestone after an eight‑year hiatus from PDC stages but also signals the rising competitiveness of Oceanic players on the global circuit. With the quarter‑finals looming, the tournament promises further drama as seasoned veterans and emerging talents vie for the coveted title.