Jack Sheppard and Jonny Tata claimed maiden titles as the DPNZ ProTour season continued in Nelson, New Zealand on April 26-27.
Teenage prospect Sheppard kicked off the weekend’s double-header with Event Five success on Saturday, which he sealed with a 7-4 victory over Charles Hautapu.
The 18-year-old also dumped out five-time World Championship qualifier Ben Robb in the semi-finals, having averaged 91 to account for Mark Cleaver in the last eight.
This was preceded by routine wins against Stu Irwin and Connor Nolan, after dispatching Nick McGrane, Craig Osgood, Wayne McRae and Damien Unuka in the round-robin phase.
Sunday’s Event Six saw former World Series qualifier Tata complete a memorable triumph, after he produced a blistering late burst to defeat New Zealand’s number one Haupai Puha 7-4.
Tata rattled off four straight legs from 4-3 down to take the title, producing legs of 12, 11, 12 and 14 darts to complete the comeback and move up to fourth on the DPNZ Order of Merit.
The 32-year-old eased through the group phase with five consecutive wins, before whitewashing Stephen Campbell to book his place in the last 16.
After edging out Irwin to reach the last eight, Tata then overcame Cleaver and Jaymie-Hilton Jones in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, averaging 96 and 95 in the process.
Robb remains top of the DPNZ Order of Merit following Event Six, with Cleaver, John Hurring and Tata occupying second, third and fourth spots respectively.
Hilton-Jones – a back-to-back finalist on the opening weekend – has slipped down to fifth, while Sheppard’s breakthrough win has elevated him up to sixth place.
It was also a big weekend for Cleaver, who will partner Puha at this year’s World Cup of Darts, after finishing top of the DPNZ rankings over the last 12 months – winning four titles during this period.
The DPNZ ProTour season will continue in Hamilton next month, as Events 7-8 take place on May 24-25.
2025 DartPlayers New Zealand ProTour
Event Five
Quarter-Finals
Charles Hautapu 5-3 Kayden Milne
Haupai Puha 5-3 John Hurring
Jack Sheppard 5-3 Mark Cleaver
Ben Robb 5-3 Jaymie Hilton-Jones
Semi-Finals
Charles Hautapu 6-2 Haupai Puha
Jack Sheppard 6-4 Ben Robb
Final
Jack Sheppard 7-4 Charles Hautapu
Event Six
Quarter-Finals
Emilio Hovell-Grace 5-2 Scott Menzies
Haupai Puha 5-3 John Hurring
Jonny Tata 5-2 Mark Cleaver
Jaymie Hilton-Jones 5-3 Ben Robb
Semi-Finals
Haupai Puha 6-3 Emilio Hovell-Grace
Jonny Tata 6-2 Jaymie Hilton-Jones
Final
Jonny Tata 7-4 Haupai Puha