Tim Pusey has catapulted himself into the Play-Off spots in the Dabble Darts ANZ Premier League after winning Night Six in Wellington, following a 5-2 victory over hometown hero Jonny Tata.
Pusey started the penultimate night of league action in seventh position, but after securing wins over Ben Robb, Simon Whitlock and Tata to pocket the weekly $2,000 prize, he now sits fourth ahead of next week’s trip to the Gold Coast.
The Western Australian star only had two wins heading to Wellington, but he walks away with plenty of confidence after becoming the fifth different winner in six weeks of action.
“I’m feeling on top of the world, and it was even better that the crowd were against me,” Pusey reflected.
“It would be great to make Finals Night. I was kind of just chilling out with Joe [Comito], but now I’ve skyrocketed up with the other lads and I just want to make a game of it.
“I've been losing a lot in the first round, but playing three games, I got better as the night went on.”
Pusey started the night with a hard-fought victory against Robb, where he reeled off four straight legs to claim a 5-3 win, before defeating Whitlock by the same scoreline in the semi-finals.
However, he saved his best until last against Tata, where he produced a 91.24 average, two 180s and a crucial 118 finish in the closing stages.
Tata was gracious in defeat, but was disappointed he couldn’t secure his third nightly win of the campaign, having triumphed on Night One in Melbourne and last week in Adelaide.
“It's been a great experience,” Tata said post-match. “Well done to Tim for winning tonight. He's a great player, he's a great person, and I respect him a lot.
“He was banging in a lot of trebles and he punished me, so good on him.”
Tata began his Night Six campaign by battling past Joe Comito 5-3, before surviving match darts against league leader Raymond Smith to win 5-4.
The other quarter-finals saw Whitlock beat James Bailey 5-2, while Smith broke throw in the deciding leg to Brody Klinge 5-4.
Smith remains top of the standings with 17 points, four ahead of Tata on 13. Whitlock is a further three points adrift in third spot, with Pusey occupying fourth position with nine points.
Robb, Klinge and Bailey are all tied on seven points apiece, while Comito, who is out of Play-Off contention, remains on two points.
The final night of league phase action takes place at the Gold Coast Convention & Entertainment Centre on Saturday November 15, headlined by a top-of-the-table clash between Smith and Tata.
Victory for Smith would see him finish top of the standings heading to Brisbane for Finals Night, although the Australian and Tata are both assured of a top-four finish.
Elsewhere, Robb faces Whitlock, Bailey squares off against Pusey, and Comito is playing for pride against Klinge.
The Dabble Darts ANZ Premier League is being broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports in Australia and Sky Sport in New Zealand, with live coverage also available on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers.
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2025 Dabble Darts ANZ Premier League
Night Six
Saturday November 8, TSB Arena, Wellington
Quarter-Finals
Raymond Smith 5-4 Brody Klinge
Joe Comito 5-3 Jonny Tata
Simon Whitlock 5-2 James Bailey
Tim Pusey 5-3 Ben Robb
Semi-Finals
Jonny Tata 5-4 Raymond Smith
Tim Pusey 5-3 Simon Whitlock
Final
Tim Pusey 5-2 Jonny Tata
Night Seven
Saturday November 15
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
Quarter-Finals
Jonny Tata v Raymond Smith
Tim Pusey v James Bailey
Joe Comito v Brody Klinge
Ben Robb v Simon Whitlock
Semi-Finals
Tata/Smith v Pusey/Bailey
Comito/Klinge v Robb/Whitlock
Final
v
All matches best of nine legs