Ben Robb stays dominant on the DPNZ ProTour, Jack Sheppard takes first title of 2026

Ben Robb has underlined his impressive form on the DPNZ ProTour once again. During the seventh and eighth ProTour events of the season in Auckland, the New Zealander claimed his fourth title of the year, while talented teenager Jack Sheppard secured his first victory of 2026 a day later.

The double-header was played on 05/23/2026 and 05/24/2026 at the Howick Club and featured a strong field of 118 entrants. Robb in particular impressed again, strengthening his lead on the DPNZ Order of Merit. The 37-year-old looks to be well on course for another appearance at the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Robb began Event Seven convincingly with four straight wins in the group stage. He had few issues in the knockout phase as well. In the last 16 he beat Mike Day 4-2, before whitewashing both Frank Bush and Craig Caldwell.

A quarterfinal clash with Jaymie Hilton-Jones followed. Robb edged it 5-3 to reach the semifinals, where he met former PDC Tour Card holder Haupai Puha. Despite falling 2-0 behind, Robb shifted up a gear and reeled off six consecutive legs to reach the final in style.

In the title decider Robb faced his future World Cup partner Jonny Tata. The pair were evenly matched for long spells and it was 3-3 after six legs. In the closing stages, however, Robb proved the stronger once more. He won four of the last five legs and sealed the match with a fine 116 checkout: 7-4.

That victory gave Robb his fourth ProTour title of the season and extended his lead over Tata at the top of the New Zealand rankings.

While Saturday belonged entirely to Robb, Sunday’s spotlight fell on young Jack Sheppard. The 19-year-old showed he is one of the brightest prospects in New Zealand darts.

Sheppard enjoyed an excellent group stage, dropping just two legs across four matches. He then maintained his strong form with convincing wins over Dean Reyland and Max Dallimore.

The teenager held firm in the key moments too. He defeated Mark Cleaver in the quarterfinals before taking out the previous day’s finalist, Jonny Tata, in the semifinals.

The final against Jaymie Hilton-Jones turned into a real thriller. Hilton-Jones led 6-5 and looked close to the title, but Sheppard showed resilience when it mattered. The young New Zealander dug in and, in the deciding leg, snatched victory at the last.

Thanks to that title, Sheppard makes a big leap on the DPNZ ranking and climbs to fourth place. Kayden Milne holds third for now, while Robb continues to lead the list by a wide margin.

A major international outing now awaits Robb and Tata. The duo will soon represent New Zealand at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt. With Robb’s current form, New Zealand looks a dangerous outsider for the team event.

The next stops on the DPNZ ProTour follow on 07/04/2026 and 07/05/2026 in Christchurch. Tournaments nine and ten will be played at the CSDA, along with qualifying for the Australian Darts Masters.