Ben Robb moves closer to World Championship with fifth DPNZ title

Tuesday, 07 July 2026 at 16:30

Ben Robb has once again left his mark on the Dartplayers New Zealand Pro Tour. The New Zealander claimed his fifth DPNZ title of 2026 in Christchurch last weekend, taking a major step toward qualifying for the World Darts Championship. He already recently qualified for the World Series.

On the second day of play, Russell Joyner then produced a first by winning his maiden DPNZ ProTour title. During the fifth DPNZ weekend of the season, the ninth and tenth ranking events were played on 04/07/2026 and 05/07/2026. Robb began his successful Saturday with a flawless group phase, winning all four of his matches. He then cruised through the knockout rounds, defeating Max Dallimore and Kerrin Robinson by identical 4-1 scores.

In the quarterfinals, Robb faced stiffer resistance from Jaymie Hilton-Jones, before sweeping past Jordan Bennett-Davies 6-1 in the semifinals. That set up a final against his World Cup teammate Jonny Tata.

In a particularly tense decider, Robb looked for a long time to be heading for a routine win. He built a comfortable 5-2 lead, but then saw Tata win four of the next five legs, forcing a last-leg shootout. There, Robb kept his nerve and pinned double 10 to seal a 7-6 victory.

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On Sunday, the title went to Russell Joyner, who captured his first DPNZ ProTour crown. The British-born thrower produced an impressive group phase with five convincing wins, dropping only three legs.

Joyner, however, had to dig deep in the knockouts. He edged out both Darren Herewini and former DPNZ winner Jack Sheppard 4-3. He then battled back well against Tukina Weko in the quarterfinals before eliminating Nicole Regnaud 6-4 in the semifinals.

Veteran Mark Cleaver awaited in the final. That match also went the distance, but once again Joyner kept his composure. Thanks to the narrow win, he could call himself a DPNZ ProTour event winner for the first time.

Results DPNZ Pro Tour 9

Quarterfinals

Ben Robb	5-3	Jaymie Hilton-Jones
Jordan Bennett-Davies	5-4	Mark Cleaver
Jonny Tata	5-3	John Hurring
Haupai Puha	5-1	Darren Herewini

Semifinals

Ben Robb	6-1	Jordan Bennett-Davies
Jonny Tata	6-2	Haupai Puha

Final

Ben Robb

7-6

Jonny Tata

Results DPNZ Pro Tour 10

Quarterfinals

Jaymie Hilton-Jones	5-1	Ben Robb
Mark Cleaver	5-1	Kayden Milne
Nicole Regnaud	5-2	Jonny Tata
Russell Joyner	5-3	Tukina Weko

Semifinals

Mark Cleaver	6-4	Jordan Bennett-Davies
Russell Joyner	6-4	Nicole Regnaud

Final

Russell Joyner

7-6

Mark Cleaver

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