Oceanic Stars Step Up as Global Giants Shine in Wollongong – LukeTheNukeLittler

The opening night of the World Series of Darts at the WIN Entertainment Centre Wollongong delivered excellent contests, missed chances, explosive checkouts, and glimpses of brilliance from both the global elite and the best of Oceania.

Brandon Weening 2–6 Mike De Decker

Debutant Brandon Weening opened the evening against another debutant in Mike De Decker and showed early promise setting up 120 in the opening two legs. While he missed both opportunities, he managed to clean up on his next visit and level the match at 1-1. From there, De Decker took control, capitalising on missed doubles by Weening to move into a commanding 4-1 lead.

Weening hit back with a 16 checkout to narrow the gap, and then opened the next leg with a 100 and 180. However, missed doubles once again proved costly, and he fell 5-2 behind. In what would be the final leg, more missed doubles sealed his fate.

“It was great to be out there tonight but my doubles let me down,” a disappointed Weening admitted.

Gerwyn Price 6–3 Bailey Comito

Gerwyn Price roared to a 2-0 lead before Joe Comito threw an opening five perfect darts en route to claiming the third leg. Price responded with a break of throw to lead 3-1, only for Comito to counter with a sensational leg—137, 174, and 100 in his first nine darts before checking out 36.

Price then shifted gears, winning in 13 and 14 darts, but Comito held throw for the first time in the match to make it 5-3. The final leg saw Comito once again start with five perfect darts, but Price held his nerve to close out the match.

“The doubles let me down. I am disappointed not to take all my chances because I could have got more out of this match,” said Comito, still proud of his performance.

Stephen Bunting 6–1 Brodie Klinge

Stephen Bunting underlined his top seeding with a 5-0 run before Brodie Klinge struck with the kind of darts locals know he is capable of with a 161 checkout to register his first leg in World Series competition. Bunting, unfazed, wrapped up the match 6-1 with typical composure.

“He played very well, the 161 was great, but all credit to Stephen he was on top form tonight,” said Klinge.

Luke Humphries 6–3 Jonny Tata

Jonny Tata burst from the blocks with a 2-0 lead, becoming the first Oceanic qualifier of the night to hold a lead in a match. However, Luke Humphries found his rhythm and reeled off four consecutive legs to take a 4-2 lead.

Tata rallied with two 140s and a break of throw, but missed a dart for 4-4 and instead saw Humphries move 5-3 ahead. A steady hold of throw gave Humphries the win.

Tata now turns his focus to Auckland next week, ready to build from a spirited display.

Damon Heta 6–0 James Bailey

Damon Heta produced a performance for the ages, averaging 109.98 in a 6-0 victory over James Bailey. Only Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen have posted higher averages in Australian World Series events. Heta stormed through in 12, 12, 17, 15, 11, and 15 darts, with checkouts including back-to-back 121s, a 117, and a closing 104.

The “Heat” was simply unstoppable on home soil.

Luke Littler 6–5 Haupai Puha

Haupai Puha led 2-0 with an early hold and a clinical finish on 16 against the current World Champion. Luke Littler fought back to level and eventually edged ahead with a break of throw. But Puha was defiant, breaking straight back and holding for 4-3. Littler replied with a 119 checkout to lead 5-4, but missed the bull for the match. Puha punished him, breaking and thus having the throw for the match.

Littler opened the deciding leg with a 180 and moved to 130 after nine darts. Puha left 74 but never returned as Littler nailed double six for a dramatic 6-5 win. Puha also has the opportunity to redress the result against a global superstar in Auckland next week.

Josh Rock 6–2 Simon Whitlock

Both players missed the bull in the first leg, but it was Josh Rock who capitalised with a break first up and quickly powered to a 4-0 lead. Whitlock finally held throw and looked to mount a comeback with a maximum start in the next leg. Rock replied with a maximum of his own and finished a 127 check out on the bull.

In the next leg Whitlock left 14 chasing 122 with Rock on 65, and the Northern Irishman closed out the match two darts later. Whitlock will look to improve on this result next week in Auckland at the New Zealand Darts Masters.

Chris Dobey 6–4 Tim Pusey

Tim Pusey broke in the opening leg and led 3-1 after taking full advantage of Dobey’s missed doubles. He could have led four nil if he had taken his chance in the second leg. Both players exchanged legs to see the match move to 4-2, Pusey taking the sixth leg in 18 darts.

Dobey responded with a hold and then a break to level the match at 4-4. Pusey couldn’t convert chances to stop the slide and Dobey edged ahead 5-4 checking out 72 with last dart in hand as Pusey stood behind needing just double 12. With both players needing 81 in the final leg, it was Dobey who got first shot at it. He collected the required score and completed the comeback win 6-4.

“I am disappointed with the result but it was enjoyable out there and I played good darts. It was a case of not taking more of my opportunities.” Pusey had a lot to be proud of in his display tonight.

Overall the local players represented them strongly this year, with much more competitive overall results but it was Australia’s number one who was the real star, Damon Heta taking all the plaudits for a magnificent display at the oche.