Robb leads the way in New Zealand with one weekend to go.

Ben Robb recaptured the top spot on the DartPlayers New Zealand Order of Merit in Wellington last weekend, while Haupai Puha also won at home.

Robb and Puha, New Zealand’s World Cup of Darts combo, shared the prizes in the fifth DPNZ double-header of the year, which took place at the Kapi Mana Darts Association on September 7-8.

Puha, New Zealand’s number one, cruised through the round-robin phase of Event Nine with four strong victories, including a 103.66 average in his whitewash win over Tyler Jones.

The 39-year-old continued his success with convincing victories over Nicole Regnaud and Jamie Roberts before defeating Daniel Snookes in the final eight.

Puha then upset John Hurring’s 103 average to win a high-quality semi-final match, beginning off with a superb 167 finish and clinching his passage with a 14-dart break.

The two-time World Championship qualifier closed off an outstanding season with a 7-2 victory over Tukina Weko in the Event Nine decider, racing out to a 4-0 lead before scoring 13 and 14-dart holds in the last stages.

Robb then grabbed centre stage in Sunday’s Event Ten, defeating Kayden Milne 7-5 in a match that might have far-reaching implications in the race for World Championship qualification.

Robb swept Simon Lancaster and Jaymie Hilton-Jones in Group A with four straight victories, averaging 94 and 96 points each round.

The 35-year-old then completed a 6-4 comeback win over Craig Caldwell in the semi-finals, and he won his second DPNZ ProTour title of 2024 by defeating Milne in a thrilling match.

Milne, who trailed 3-0 and 5-3 at one point, converted 146 and 130 checkouts on his way to restoring parity at five apiece, but after edging a messy 11th leg, Robb clinched the deal.

Milne destroyed Puha’s dreams of winning back-to-back titles with a 6-3 victory in the semi-finals, average 94 and advancing to his sixth DNPZ ProTour final of the season.

However, Robb’s victory at Event Ten has propelled him ahead of Milne in the DPNZ Tour rankings, with Mark Cleaver and John Hurring also vying for the top spot ahead of next month’s crucial double-header.

The final weekend of DPNZ ProTour action will be held on October 5-6, with the fight for World Championship qualification reaching a spectacular conclusion in Hamilton.

2024 DartPlayers New Zealand ProTour

September 7-8, Kapi Mana Darts Association, Wellington

Event Nine

Quarter-Finals

Stu Irwin 5-4 Josh Walters

Tukina Weko 5-4 Mark Cleaver

Haupai Puha 5-3 Daniel Snookes

John Hurring 5-2 Haunui Hira

Semi-Finals

Tukina Weko 6-5 Stu Irwin

Haupai Puha 6-4 John Hurring

Final

Haupai Puha 7-2 Tukina Weko

Event Ten

Quarter-Finals

Ben Robb 5-2 Jaymie Hilton-Jones

Craig Caldwell 5-0 Sam Laing

Haupai Puha 5-4 John Hurring

Kayden Milne 5-4 Josh Walters

Semi-Finals

Ben Robb 6-4 Craig Caldwell

Kayden Milne 6-3 Haupai Puha

Final

Ben Robb 7-5 Kayden Milne