Once again, the talented tungsten exponent Ben Robb picked up a DPNZ Pro Tour win, taking his seasonal tally to five with English-born, Russell Joyner joining him in the winners’ circle.

And, just for good measure, Mr Robb claimed the New Zealand spot in the upcoming World Series event – the Australian Darts Masters in August. Nice weekend lad. Congrats,

Leading Kiwi chucker – and by that, I don’t mean Ben is incredibly good at randomly throwing a specific hairy piece of fruit around – Robb began his trip to Christchurch in combative style, picking up the opening event of the Garden City’s double-header.

The Rangiora-born man cruised effortlessly through his group before moving on to the knockout phase. And before you could say, “Ben is probably going to win this one,” Ben had won that one.

Facing another top dog in New Zealand darts, Jonny Tata – who, you could argue, sounds like bizarrely saying farewell to a contraceptive – the 33-year-old was put in a stern fight in an absorbing finale oozing with drama.

With regards to monikers, I know Ben Robb is a bit of a colossus, but ‘Big Rig’? I’ve seen these huge structures in the North Sea – those things are massive. Now, as tall as the Kiwi is, he’s no gigantic oil-mining platform, so at best, ‘Mini Rig’. That said, what’s in a nickname anyway? Gerwyn Price is hardly solely made out of ice.

Anyway, back to the showdown. Robb got the better of the early exchanges, leading 3-1 and then 5-2. At that point, it began to look obvious, but Tata refused to wave goodbye and clawed it back to 6-6, forcing a last-leg shootout. Great for the neutral. Nervy for the boys.

However, the DPNZ Order of Merit leader held it together and got over the line.

Then, just to compound his compatriot’s misery even further, Robb did the exact same thing in the final of the Australian Darts Masters qualifying event. Déjà vu, unfortunately, for Jonny, but delight for Robb. That’s darts – for every great winner, there has to be a valiant loser.

So, down but not out, Tata went hunting around the shops along the River Avon in search of a little doll that looked a bit like Ben Robb, to tie its hands together and hope for the magic of voodoo to do its stuff. If there is a child’s doll resembling Big Rig, it’s not going to be a popular Christmas seller.

Onto the second and final event. And a new name for the 2026 DPNZ Roll of Honour – Russell Joyner.

If you’re not overly familiar with the fella – snap. With respect to Joyner, he isn’t one of the star names on the Antipodean circuit. But fair play, he can clearly chuck a mean dart and won his title the hard way.

A quick bit of research shows me Russell is originally from the Somerset neck of the woods in England and enjoyed plenty of local success before heading to the other side of the world and pastures new. Nothing about Russ on the PDC Tour, but clearly a very able amateur arrow-smith. And so it proved to be.

After easily negotiating his group with a 100% record, Joyner was then embroiled in battles right to the end. The Brit edged past Darren Herewini, Jack Sheppard (not the British Soap, Coronation Street actor who was over visiting) and Tukino Weko, conceding three legs against each.

Then, in the semi-final, the South West England native was pushed by Nicole Reginald but came through narrowly, 6-4.

Finally, in the showdown, yet another dramatic last-leg decider – this time not involving the exasperated Jonny Tata, who probably couldn’t face a third heartbreak that weekend. Nope – this time, Mark Cleaver was the man pipped at the post, with Joyner triumphant.

Never easy losing in that fashion. And for a bloke Down Under – even worse when it’s to a Pommie!

But there is a consolation for Cleaver, one he knew before arriving at the venue. The Maestro, by virtue of ending the action in Christchurch in the top five on the rankings, automatically qualifies for the upcoming New Zealand Darts Masters in Auckland, where the cream of the White Feathers will face the PDC elite.

Cleaver is joined by Ben Robb, Jonny Tata, Kayden Milne and Haupai Puha, who will all rely on the latter’s nickname, ‘Hopes’, to accompany their dreams on the big stage next month.

That’s a wrap from the Garden City. One weekend remains, with Auckland playing host in September.