Raymond Smith moved to the top of the 2025 Dabble Darts ANZ Premier League standings after beating Simon Whitlock 5-3 to triumph on Night Two in Newcastle.
Smith, who was beaten in last weekend’s decider against Jonny Tata, bounced back with a series of professional performances, eventually defeating Whitlock to pocket the nightly $2,000 prize in front of a vocal crowd at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
The Queenslander admitted he was motivated to go one better after losing to Tata last Saturday, but insists he must improve to retain top spot in the table.
“I’m happy with the win, but I need to do more because the players are getting better,” reflected Smith.
“I’ve played okay; my form could be better, but these guys are putting you under pressure in every single leg.”
‘The Guru’ was at his clinical best in the quarter-finals against James Bailey, who took out the highest finish of the night with a 164 finish, albeit in a 5-2 defeat.
Smith wrapped up victory with a superb 140 finish, before beating New Zealand’s Ben Robb 5-1 in the semi-finals to set up his winner-takes-all showdown against Whitlock.
Australian icon Whitlock produced a much-improved showing following his first round exit last weekend, surviving match darts against Brody Klinge to register his first win on the ANZ Premier League stage, which he followed up with a 5-3 win over Tim Pusey.
“Fair play to Ray, he’s the top player in Australia at the moment. He’s the benchmark,” Whitlock declared.
“Last week I felt jet-lagged, but I’m easing into it. I had a little bit of luck tonight, but I can only get better.”
In Saturday’s other quarter-final ties, Pusey landed three 180s to topple Night One winner Tata 5-2, while Robb threatened a nine-darter with six perfect darts to defeat Joe Comito by the same scoreline.
The ANZ Premier League action continues next weekend at the AIS Arena in Canberra, headlined by a rematch of the Night Two final with Smith facing Whitlock.
Tata and Robb will lock horns in an all-New Zealand affair, Pusey faces Comito, while Bailey targets his first victory of the season against Klinge.
Smith boasts a three-point lead over Tata at the top of the table, with Whitlock moving into third position, one point ahead of Klinge, Pusey, Comito and Robb respectively.
Click here for match stats & results.
2025 Dabble Darts ANZ Premier League
Night Two - Saturday October 11
Newcastle Entertainment Centre
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
Night Three - Saturday October 18
AIS Arena, Canberra
Quarter-Finals
Brody Klinge v James Bailey
Raymond Smith v Simon Whitlock
Jonny Tata v Ben Robb
Tim Pusey v Joe Comito
Semi-Finals
Klinge/Bailey v Smith/Whitlock
Tata/Robb v Pusey/Comito
Final
v
All matches best of nine legs