Darting King of Queensland, Raymond Smith, moved to the top of the league after claiming a 5–3 victory over Simon Whitlock on night two of the ANZ Premier League in Newcastle.
It was a bit of a homecoming for The Wizard, performing in his home state of New South Wales. He almost made it a dream return but was ultimately foiled in the final by Smith.
The Guru was in dominant form from the outset, defeating James Bailey in his opening match with a 93.97 average - a figure what would end as the highest of the evening. Smith then swept past an out-of-sorts Ben Robb, with the Kiwi unable to find any rhythm.
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Meanwhile, Whitlock was looking to turn back the clock, and where better to do it than just 50 kilometres from Cessnock, the town of his birth. The former PDC World Championship runner-up found himself in a nervy opening match affair against Brody Klinge. Neither man set the arena alight, but at 3–1 down, the bearded Aussie legend dug deep and edged out his countryman in a dramatic last-leg shoot-out.
In the semi-final, Whitlock started well and, while not at his brilliant best, managed to get his nose in front and hold off the challenge from Tim Pusey to book his place in the final.
Opening exchanges of the showdown, and it was Smith who came flying out of the blocks, taking the opening two legs. Sadly for Whitlock - and his many fans in attendance - he couldn’t quite find the break he needed. Though he held his throw confidently, he was unable to wrestle control from his compatriot. Eventually, The Guru ran out a 5–3 winner and jumped to the top of the league standings.
Next stop - the Australian capital, Canberra, where the AIS Arena plays host.
Babble Darts ANZ Premier League 2025
Quarter-Finals
Tim Pusey 5-2 Jonny Tata
Simon Whitlock 5-4 Brody Klinge
Ben Robb 5-2 Joe Comito
Raymond Smith 5-2 James Bailey
Semi-Finals
Simon Whitlock 5-3 Tim Pusey
Raymond Smith 5-1 Ben Robb
Final
Raymond Smith 5-3 Simon Whitlock
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