Wade survives huge scare from Caldwell, Robb dumps out Whitlock as NZ Darts Masters begins in Hamilton

In the first tie, Wade was excellent in the opening leg holding his throw with ease hitting a 180 and double ten but Caldwell hit back in style smashing in a 142 checkout to level.

'The Machine' converted double five to move 2-1 in front; with both players averaging exactly the same at 91 in the early going.

Wade though squandered two darts to go 3-1 up; the Kiwi was allowed to level it up at two a piece. This poor finishing continued as he missed three to go further ahead and Caldwell took advantage to lead 3-2.

Caldwell went two clear to go towards the shock defeat in Hamilton; but Wade held to peg him back and just go one behind.

'CC' went one away though taking out 74 to go within a leg of the upset at 5-3 up. Wade saved himself with a 116 checkout to go one behind again and hand the initiative to Caldwell.

The Aldershot ace produced a 140 checkout to break throw and force a last leg decider; which he claimed to survive a huge scare.

In the second game of proceedings, Simon Whitlock was dumped out in stunning fashion by Ben Robb who put his past performances on the World Series behind him; to show why he is seen as one of the best players in New Zealand.

He defeated 'The Wizard' 6-4 in a tie where he averaged 96 and despite not hitting any 180's; he took his chances when it mattered to stun the Aussie ace.

Whitlock had a solid start to proceedings going 2-0 up over Ben Robb; but the latter came back with an 80 checkout to half the deficit. Robb squared it up at 2-2 though.

Three consecutive legs for Robb saw him go 3-2 up; he made sure he would put Whitlock up against it at 4-2 up.

Whitlock though came back with two sharp legs to draw it level including a superb 127 checkout on the bull to cap it off.

Robb though stopped the charge breaking throw to go within one; as a result he had the throw to win. He claimed the victory to dump out the Wizard and secure his passage into the Quarter-Finals.

Click here for more information about this tournament, including the prize money breakdown and the tournament schedule.

James Wade (92.71) 6-5 (87.71) Craig Caldwell
Simon Whitlock (93.51) 4-6 (96.87) Ben Robb
Daryl Gurney v David Platt
Rob Cross v Warren Parry
Gary Anderson v Haupai Puha
Peter Wright v Damon Heta
Michael van Gerwen v Kyle Anderson
Raymond van Barneveld v Cody Harris
Best of 11 legs

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