Jonny Clayton emerged victorious over his fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price, securing an 8-4 win in the championship match of the New Zealand Darts Masters held in Auckland. The triumph marked Clayton's second World Series of Darts title, and he sealed the victory with a dramatic 124‑checkout that landed directly on the bullseye. Clayton's journey to the final was anything but easy. He opened the tournament with a solid performance against the Dutch up‑and‑comer Gian van Veen, then continued his march by dispatching seasoned veteran James Wade.
Both wins demonstrated his clinical finishing and steady scoring, setting the tone for a decisive showdown in the final. The championship match itself began with Clayton delivering a spectacular 158 finish, which propelled him to an early 3‑0 lead. From that point on he never looked back, quickly extending his advantage to 7‑1.
Although Price rallied in the latter stages, winning three consecutive legs, Clayton held firm and closed out the contest at 8‑4, avenging his loss to Price in the 2022 New Zealand final in Hamilton. Reflecting on the win, Clayton said, "It was great to play the final alongside my World Cup teammate.
It just goes to show that two rugby boys can transition to darts and end up competing at the highest level here in New Zealand. I’m walking away with a huge smile on my face." He added a light‑hearted note about the rivalry, "It’s 1‑1 now, so next year – winner takes all!" The champion also hinted at his upcoming schedule, "I’m looking forward to Wollongong next week. Hopefully the sun will shine on me and I can lift another trophy!" The tournament featured a packed field of international talent.
In the round of 16, Price dispatched Mark Cleaver 6‑1, while Ross Smith edged out Adam Leek 6‑5 in a tightly contested match. James Wade recorded a convincing 6‑0 victory over Kayden Milne, and Simon Whitlock fell to Gian van Veen 6‑1. Jonny Clayton himself survived a nail‑biting 6‑5 win over Haupai Puha, while Damon Heta overcame Ben Robb 6‑4 and Stephen Bunting was beaten 6‑2 by Raymond Smith.
The quarter‑finals saw Clayton continue his dominance, beating Gian van Veen 6‑3. James Wade fell 4‑6 to Josh Rock, and Gerwyn Price dispatched Damon Heta 6‑2. Raymond Smith eliminated Adam Leek with a 6‑3 scoreline.
In the semi‑finals, Clayton produced a masterclass, cruising to a 7‑2 victory over James Wade, while Price mirrored that scoreline against Raymond Smith, setting the stage for a highly anticipated final between the two Welsh stars. Beyond the on‑court action, the event was broadcast live on Sky Sports, giving fans across the UK and Ireland a front‑row seat to the drama.
For viewers who missed the live feed, the darts action can be streamed through NOW, which also offers a range of other sporting content. Additionally, enthusiasts can tune into the "Love the Darts" podcast for in‑depth analysis, player interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes stories. Looking ahead, the darts calendar remains busy.
The BoyleSports World Grand Prix will return to Sky Sports from September 28 to October 4, with Luke Littler defending his title in what promises to be another thrilling series of matches. Fans can continue to follow the sport through live streams, highlight reels, and dedicated darts programming on both traditional television and digital platforms. Overall, Jonny Clayton's performance in Auckland underscored his growing stature on the World Series circuit.
His composure under pressure, precision finishing, and ability to bounce back from earlier setbacks have solidified his reputation as one of the sport's most exciting competitors. With more tournaments on the horizon, including the upcoming event in Wollongong, darts enthusiasts can expect Clayton to remain a key figure in the chase for further titles.