Ben Robb powered his way to a fourth DartPlayers New Zealand ProTour title of the year in Auckland, as Jack Sheppard opened his 2026 account last weekend. The Howick Club played host to Events Seven and Eight on May 23-24, as Robb cemented top spot on the DPNZ ProTour rankings to strengthen his bid for […]
Ben Robb powered his way to a fourth DartPlayers New Zealand ProTour title of the year in Auckland, as Jack Sheppard opened his 2026 account last weekend.
The Howick Club played host to Events Seven and Eight on May 23-24, as Robb cemented top spot on the DPNZ ProTour rankings to strengthen his bid for an Alexandra Palace return.
Robb emerged through a 118-player field to celebrate Event Seven success, defeating his World Cup partner Jonny Tata 7-4 in Saturday’s showpiece.
Following four consecutive wins in the round-robin phase, Robb breezed through to the quarter-finals with a 4-2 victory over Mike Day, while also whitewashing Frank Bush and Craig Caldwell.
The 37-year-old then ran out a 5-3 winner against Jaymie Hilton-Jones in the last eight, before reeling off six straight legs from 2-0 down to dispatch former Tour Card Holder Haupai Puha.
There was nothing to separate Tata or Robb after six legs of the final, but Robb turned on the style in the closing stages, winning four of the last five legs and clinching the title with a 116 combination.
Sheppard was Sunday’s stand-out performer, however, defeating Hilton-Jones in a bruising deciding-leg battle to capture his second DPNZ ProTour title.
The 19-year-old conceded just two legs in his four group-stage victories, which he backed up with convincing wins against Dean Reyland and Max Dallimore.
The teenager also claimed the scalps of Mark Cleaver and Tata to seal his spot in the Event Eight decider, where he fought back from 6-5 down to prevail.
Sheppard’s first win of 2026 has parachuted him up to fourth on the DPNZ rankings, with Kayden Milne remaining in third spot.
However, Robb boasts a considerable lead over his closest rival Tata at the summit, as the pair prepare to represent New Zealand at next month’s World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt.
The 2026 DPNZ ProTour action will continue on July 4-5, as the CSDA in Christchurch hosts Events Nine and Ten and the qualifier for August’s Australian Darts Masters.
2026 DartPlayers New Zealand ProTour
Event Seven
Quarter-Finals
Jonny Tata 5-2 Anthony Benitez
Mark Cleaver 5-1 Jordan Bennett-Davies
Ben Robb 5-3 Jaymie Hilton-Jones
Haupai Puha 5-2 Nevin Filimoeatu
Semi-Finals
Jonny Tata 6-3 Mark Cleaver
Ben Robb 6-2 Haupai Puha
Final
Ben Robb 7-4 Jonny Tata
Event Eight
Quarter-Finals
Jonny Tata 5-3 Craig Caldwell
Jack Sheppard 5-3 Mark Cleaver
David Bowers 5-2 Clinton Julies
Jaymie Hilton-Jones 5-2 Craig Pullen
Semi-Finals
Jack Sheppard 6-4 Jonny Tata
Jaymie Hilton-Jones 6-3 David Bowers
Final
Jack Sheppard 7-6 Jaymie Hilton-Jones