Humphries dispatches Heta to clinch maiden World Series crown

World Series of Darts

Luke Humphries produced a dominant display to dispatch Damon Heta and clinch his maiden World Series of Darts title in Saturday’s New Zealand Darts Masters final.

Reigning champion Cross edges out home hero Puha in Hamilton

World Series of Darts

Rob Cross opened his defence of the New Zealand Darts Masters with a dramatic deciding-leg win over Haupai Puha on Friday, as Luke Littler returned to winning ways on his debut in Hamilton.

Where to watch the 2024 New Zealand Darts Masters

World Series of Darts

Check out where you can watch the 2024 New Zealand Darts Masters.

2024 New Zealand Darts Masters preview

World Series of Darts

The 2024 New Zealand Darts Masters begins on Friday, as reigning champion Rob Cross and New Zealand’s number one Haupai Puha renew their rivalry in Hamilton.

Cross pitted against Puha in 2024 NZ Darts Masters opener

World Series of Darts

Rob Cross will begin his defence of the New Zealand Darts Masters against Haupai Puha, as Australian World Cup partners Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock also go head-to-head on Friday night.

Peerless Price reigns supreme in Wollongong

World Series of Darts

Gerwyn Price stormed to his second World Series of Darts title of 2024 with a stunning 8-1 victory against Luke Littler in Saturday's Australian Darts Masters final.

Heta headlines in Wollongong, as Cross survives Puha scare

World Series of Darts

Damon Heta preserved home hopes on the opening day of the 2024 Australian Darts Masters, as Rob Cross survived a major scare against New Zealand’s number one Haupai Puha.

Where to watch the 2024 Australian Darts Masters

World Series of Darts

Check out where you can watch the 2024 Australian Darts Masters.

2024 Australian Darts Masters preview

World Series of Darts

Luke Humphries and Luke Littler will make their World Series of Darts debuts Down Under on Friday, as the pair prepare to take centre stage at the 2024 Australian Darts Masters.

Humphries to face Comito in Australian Darts Masters opener

World Series of Darts

Luke Humphries will begin his Australian Darts Masters campaign against Joe Comito on Friday, with the draw and schedule for this weekend’s event now confirmed.

Dimitri Van den Bergh completed a World Series of Darts double with glory in the Viaplay Dutch Darts Masters on Saturday, seeing off home favourite Dirk van Duijvenbode 8-2 in the final.

Van den Bergh had won his maiden World Series title a fortnight ago in the Nordic Darts Masters at Forum Copenhagen, and he doubled his tally in style with a dominant showing at the Ziggo Dome.

Having dropped just two legs in his first round win over Ron Meulenkamp on Friday, the Belgian averaged almost 99 in a 6-1 quarter-final romp against Jermaine Wattimena.

He then powered past UK Open champion Danny Noppert 7-2 in the semi-finals and opened up a 4-0 lead over Van Duijvenbode in the final to move half-way to victory.

The Dutchman hit back in leg five, but Van den Bergh finished 72 for a 14-darter and then pinned double 18 to move 6-1 up.

Van den Bergh saw Van Duijvenbode double his tally in leg eight, despite landing two 180s in the leg, but the Belgian wrapped up proceedings in emphatic style, firing in legs of 13 and 14 darts to prevail with a 104 average.

"It's incredible - I'm very proud," said Van den Bergh. "To only lose seven legs in the event is amazing.

"It's incredible and it's not expected. I don't know if I've broken records but I've got the trophy and that's what I came here for.

"I think I've done a great job in Copenhagen and here and I'm grateful to be invited to play in these World Series events.

"This is the top players in the world and I've won two out of two, so I want to take this into the World Matchplay next month now.

"I'm so happy because I keep achieving my dreams. I want to keep continuing this because it's an incredible feeling. I want to achieve more."

Having seen off four Dutch stars in as many games at the Ziggo Dome to silence the home crowd, he added: "I didn't only play Dirk and the class that Dirk has, but I've also had to play the massive support he had.

"I understand them and I respect Dirk so much. It wasn't hard to play the opponent, I had to be so strong in my mind."

Van Duijvenbode had produced a superb 72 finish in the deciding leg of his entertaining semi-final contest with James Wade, who had checked out a sublime 140 to lead 6-5 before seeing the Dutchman claim the final two legs.

The World Cup semi-finalist had also seen off Martijn Kleermaker 6-4 in the quarter-finals, having knocked out World Champion Peter Wright in the first round, but admitted after the final: "I was just not good enough.

"He played well but I think I could have done better than I did and I'm disappointed that I didn't play a good game.

"I felt great but I felt a little bit unlucky sometimes. It's amazing - I love playing for a crowd that is supporting you as much as they did.

"I'm disappointed I didn't win it, but I could have done worse this weekend. This is the last TV tournament before the [World] Matchplay and I feel ready. Hopefully I'll get another gear for that one - let's go!"

Dutchmen Maik Kuivenhoven and Vincent van der Voort also lost out in the last eight to Wade and Noppert respectively, with six of the eight players from the Netherlands having won through to the second day of action in Amsterdam.

The Viaplay Dutch Darts Masters was the month's third World Series of Darts event, following tournaments in New York and Copenhagen, before the focus now moves to an August treble-header Down Under.

The action begins with PalmerBet Queensland Darts Masters on August 12-13, is followed by the PalmerBet NSW Darts Masters on August 19-20 before crossing to Hamilton for the NZ Darts Masters on August 26-27. For tickets, visit pdc.tv/tickets.

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