Raymond Smith and Adam Leek fly the flag at the New Zealand Darts Masters with upsets on day one
Raymond Smith and Adam Leek fly the flag at the New Zealand Darts Masters with upsets on day one
Australian duo Raymond Smith and Adam Leek will meet in the quarter-finals of the SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters after producing two of the biggest upsets on an entertaining opening night in Auckland.
Smith stole the show at Spark Arena on Friday, averaging 99.81 and converting an impressive 86% of his attempts at double to dispatch third seed Stephen Bunting 6-2.
The experienced Australian was clinical when it mattered, following up composed 92 and 90 combinations with a superb 124 checkout on the bullseye as he completed a memorable victory.
“It feels pretty awesome. Eight years since I last played on a PDC stage, so I’m pretty stoked,” reflected 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 also marked his World Series of Darts debut in style, recovering from a 4-1 deficit to defeat Ross Smith in a dramatic last-leg decider.
The Australian number two survived six match darts during a remarkable fightback, winning five of the final six legs as Ross Smith struggled to close out the contest.
“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.”
The all-Australian quarter-final means one of the pair will advance to the last four, guaranteeing further home-region representation on Saturday night.
Top seed Gian van Veen also impressed on his New Zealand debut, averaging above 97 in a commanding 6-1 victory over local World Cup star Jonny Tata.
The Dutch number one will now face 2022 runner-up Jonny Clayton, who recovered from 4-2 down to defeat home favourite Haupai Puha.
Elsewhere, former champion Gerwyn Price will take on Damon Heta after the Welshman cruised past Mark Cleaver with a 6-1 victory, converting 67% of his attempts at double.
Heta produced one of the night’s finest comebacks against Ben Robb, reeling off a five-leg burst to overturn the deficit. The Australian followed up 11 and 12-dart legs with a crucial 105 checkout to complete an impressive recovery.
Josh Rock and James Wade will also meet in the quarter-finals after contrasting opening-round victories.
Rock survived a spirited fightback from Australian legend Simon Whitlock to secure a 6-4 success, while Wade marked his return to New Zealand with a comprehensive 6-0 whitewash of a struggling Kayden Milne.
The 2026 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters concludes on Saturday, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final all taking place during a bumper evening session at Spark Arena.
Van Veen and Clayton will open the quarter-final action before Wade and Rock battle for a place in the last four.
Price then faces Heta, while Smith and Leek will round off the quarter-final line-up in an intriguing all-Australian showdown.
Raymond Smith and Adam Leek fly the flag at the New Zealand Darts Masters with upsets on day one
2026 SkyCity New Zealand Darts Masters
Friday August 14
Gerwyn Price 6-1 Mark Cleaver
Adam Leek 6-5 Ross Smith
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
Raymond Smith 6-2 Stephen Bunting
Saturday August 15 (1900 NZST)
Quarter-Finals
Gian van Veen v Jonny Clayton
James Wade v Josh Rock
Gerwyn Price v Damon Heta
Raymond Smith v Adam Leek
Best of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Van Veen/Clayton v Wade/Rock
Price/Heta v Smith/Leek
Best of 13 legs
Final
v
Best of 15 legs
All Saturday matches to be played in Draw Bracket order.
