Ben Robb and Darren Dummigan claimed a title apiece as the 2023 DartPlayers New Zealand Winmau ProTour season continued in Dunedin last weekend.
New Zealand’s number one Robb, who topped the 2022 DPNZ rankings, extended his lead at the top of the current standings after celebrating success in Event Nine on Saturday.
Dummigan then secured his maiden title to round off the weekend’s action, defeating Tukina Weko in Sunday’s showpiece to clinch Event Ten glory.
However, it was Robb who took centre stage in Dunedin, scooping his sixth ProTour title of 2023 with victory over Kayden Milne in Event Nine.
The 34-year-old stormed through the round-robin phase with four consecutive victories, before firing in a 13-darter to edge out Nick Kohey in a last-leg decider to reach the quarter-finals.
There, Robb averaged over 99 in his rout of John Hurring, before running out a convincing 6-3 winner against Mark Cleaver to set up his showdown against Milne.
New Zealand’s World Cup star produced a clinical display to demolish Milne in Saturday’s decider, conjuring up a spectacular 170 checkout to wrap up an emphatic 7-1 success.
However, Robb’s bid for back-to-back titles was curtailed by Dummigan in Event Ten, who sealed his landmark crown in dramatic fashion.
After easing through the round-robin phase, Dummigan dumped out Erwin Silva-Netto in the last 32, before winning through a gruelling deciding-leg clash against Robb to reach the last eight.
Dummigan continued his charge with wins over Alan Skayman and Cleaver, before converting three ton-plus finishes in his 7-5 victory against Weko in the Event Ten decider.
Weko had beaten second seed Warren Parry, Hurring and Milne in his run to the final, and despite rallying from 6-2 down to threaten an unlikely comeback, Dummigan held his nerve to triumph.
The 2023 DPNZ ProTour season concludes with Events 11-12 in Christchurch on October 7-8, as Robb looks to cement his lead at the top of the DPNZ standings.
Robb is sat on 152 points after ten events, with Milne and former World Cup of Darts quarter-finalist Haupai Puha tied on 112 points, ahead of the veteran Warren Parry in fourth position.
Following the culmination of the 2023 DPNZ ProTour season, the top 16 players on the DPNZ rankings will compete in the World Darts Championship qualifier on October 9, which will also be held in Christchurch.
2023 DartPlayers New Zealand Winmau ProTour
Saturday September 2
Dunedin Metropolitan Club
Event Nine
Quarter-Finals
Ben Robb 5-2 John Hurring
Mark Cleaver 5-4 Josh Walters
Kayden Milne 5-4 Warren Parry
Haupai Puha 5-1 Hipirini Tewhakaara
Semi-Finals
Ben Robb 6-3 Mark Cleaver
Kayden Milne 6-5 Haupai Puha
Final
Ben Robb 7-1 Kayden Milne
Sunday September 3
Event Ten
Quarter-Finals
Darren Dummigan 5-2 Alan Skayman
Mark Cleaver 5-3 Haunui Hira
Tukina Weko 5-2 John Hurring
Kayden Milne 5-2 Josh Walters
Semi-Finals
Darren Dummigan 6-4 Mark Cleaver
Tukina Weko 6-2 Kayden Milne
Final
Darren Dummigan 7-5 Tukina Weko