Raymond Smith became the first player to punch his ticket to Finals Night in the 2026 Dabble Darts ANZ Premier League, winning Night Four in Auckland with a 5-2 victory over Brody Klinge in the final. Smith’s triumph at the New Zealand International Convention Centre secured him the crucial five competition points and A$1000 nightly […]
Raymond Smith became the first player to punch his ticket to Finals Night in the 2026 Dabble Darts ANZ Premier League, winning Night Four in Auckland with a 5-2 victory over Brody Klinge in the final.
Smith’s triumph at the New Zealand International Convention Centre secured him the crucial five competition points and A$1000 nightly prize, adding to his Night One victory in Canberra last month and ensuring he cannot be caught at the top of the standings.
Last year’s ANZ Premier League runner-up won all three of his matches 5-2 across the evening, starting with a comfortable victory over Mal Cuming before surging past New Zealand’s Jonny Tata, where he became the first player in ANZ Premier League history to hit a 170 checkout.
Smith saved his best performance for last, throwing four 180s and averaging 95.97 against Klinge in the showpiece to cap off a stunning display.
“That was mental – this was a great crowd, it was amazing,” said Smith, who has secured Finals Night for a second year running.
“I’ve come to New Zealand, I’ve got a little bit of difference in the crowd, but it’s good to have people on my side, it’s good to have people against you. It brings a different bit of energy and a bit more focus.
“I still think I’ve got a lot left in the tank. I’ve got another step up. I was disappointed to lose last year, so, I’ve got to step up again. That’s my goal.“
While Klinge will be disappointed not to walk away with the title, his run to the final gives him an outside chance of reaching Finals Night.
The Australian Darts Masters runner-up arrived in Auckland having failed to win a match in the opening three rounds, but he showed glimpses of the player who captured nine ADA titles this year with a 5-2 win over Tim Pusey in the quarter-finals before reeling off five consecutive legs to beat Simon Whitlock 5-1 in the semi-finals.
The other quarter-final results saw Tata beat Joe Comito 5-3, while Whitlock handed Ben Robb a third consecutive quarter-final exit with a win by the same scoreline.
The action now heads to Newcastle Entertainment Centre for the final night of league-phase action before the tournament reaches its climax with Finals Night in Brisbane.
Smith is the only player to have booked his place at Finals Night, while Comito is the only player out of contention. The remaining six players will battle it out for the final three spots.
The fixtures have been determined by the standings after Night Four, with Smith set to face Comito, Pusey taking on Robb, Tata colliding with Klinge and Cuming looking to deny defending ANZ Premier League champion Whitlock.
The 2026 ANZ Premier League is being televised live on Foxtel & Kayo Sports in Australia, through Sky in New Zealand and globally on PDCTV.
Click here for match stats & results.
2026 Dabble Darts ANZ Premier League
Night Four
Friday October 16, International Convention Centre, Auckland
Quarter-Finals
Jonny Tata 5-3 Joe Comito
Raymond Smith 5-2 Mal Cuming
Simon Whitlock 5-3 Ben Robb
Tim Pusey 2-5 Brody Klinge
Semi-Finals
Jonny Tata 2-5 Raymond Smith
Simon Whitlock 1-5 Brody Klinge
Final
Raymond Smith 5-2 Brody Klinge
Night Five
Saturday October 24, Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
Fixtures based on League Table following Night Four
Quarter-Finals
Raymond Smith v Joe Comito
Mal Cuming v Simon Whitlock
Tim Pusey v Ben Robb
Jonny Tata v Brody Klinge
Semi-Finals
Smith/Comito v Cuming/Whitlock
Pusey/Robb v Tata/Klinge
Final
v
All matches best of nine legs