29 Players qualified for Knockout Play, with a class field of some of New Zealand’s best players.
There was a great battle between Jack Sheppard and Haupai Puha with the super talented youngster going 3 legs to 2 up before Haupai came back evening the match. Haupai got the win but Jack played some absolutely outstanding darts.
In the top 16 round John Hurring played a great high scoring game against Seb Clay to take out the win 4 legs to nil. Jimmy Samuels and Mark Cleaver played leg for leg in a very close match up, with the eventual winner Mark Cleaver.
The very talented young Te Kotahi Kaio made a brilliant come back to nearly take the match from Nevin Filimoeatu, but lost 3 legs to 4.
New Zealands greatest of all time Warren Parry was unexpectedly put out by Haunui Hira 4 legs to 2.
The Top 8 was a showing of NZ darts top echelon of players with Stu Irwin up against Haupai Puha. Stu took out the first leg, Haupai the second. Stu the third, Haupai the fourth and fifth and Stu a comeback taking out the sixth. Haupai was the eventual victor winning 5 legs to 3.
John Hurring and Mark Cleaver’s match was a battle of the steady players with Mark victorious.
Ben Robb was methodical in his defeat of Sonny Matekaure winning 5 legs to nil.
The match of Nevin Fillimoeatu and Haunui Hira was a real spectacle with so many fantastic darts thrown, it all came down to the final leg with Nevin Fillimoeatu taking out a great match up of real good darts.
Semi Final time and Ben Robb played Mark Cleaver. Ben was on his game taking out both of the first two legs, with back to back scores of over 100, Mark scoring high as well but just missing the vital doubles. In leg three Ben had a brilliant 12 dart leg with three 140’s before checking out. The fifth leg was just outstanding with both Ben and Mark hitting 180’s, Ben two and Mark one, Mark just missed a double yet again. The sixth leg both players started off with 140’s, then 100’s. Ben was just too clinical with every dart thrown and took out the match 6 legs to nil.
Haupai Puha played Nevin Fillimoeatu in the second semi-final. Haupai was in control of the match all the way through, Nevin showed some moments of brilliance but the experience of Haupai was just too good winning 6 legs to 2.
Finals time and Ben Robb was up against Haupai Puha. Haupai won the bull and threw first scoring 140 first up. Ben followed up with a 177. The first leg was taken out by Ben. Leg two and both players were hitting their strides with great scoring, Ben takes out leg two. Leg three and Haupai starts with 100, 134, 117,
Ben hits 180, 140, 130 and continues his form to take out leg three. Hopes starts off scoring low in leg four but comes back with a 140, Ben starts off well then hit a couple of low scores then hits his groove again only to be beaten to the finish by Haupai who finished the fourth leg. Ben took the fifth and started off leg six with 140.
Haupai started off the leg with 118, Ben 140, Haupai 36, Ben 140, Haupai 139, Ben left on 81 scores 49, Haupai scores a 100, Ben took out leg six on 32. Ben took out leg 7. Leg eight is another high scoring match up with 134, 135, 125 both players showing their true class.
Haupai took out the eighth leg. Leg nine was won by Haupai. Leg ten Ben started the scoring on 134, Haupai followed up with a ton, Ben answered with 59, Haupai countered with 180, Ben replied with 84, Haupai came back with a ton, Ben 137, Haupai hit the bull to take the leg.
Leg eleven Haupai threw 100, Ben 96, Haupai 100, Ben 125, Haupai 97, Ben 60, Haupai 180, Ben 50, Haupai went out on 24. Leg twelve Ben started off with a ton, Haupai 134, Ben 60, Haupai 97, Ben 180, Haupai 60, Ben 129, Haupai 100; Ben took it out on 32 with game shot and the match. Final score 7 legs to 5.
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