Final Qualifiers Secure Auckland Darts Masters Spots

Final Qualifiers Secure Auckland Darts Masters Spots

MARK CLEAVER, teenage debutant Darren Herewini and Rob Modra have secured places in the 2017 Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB and Burger King, after winning through the DPNZ Qualifiers at the Swanson RSA.

New Zealand's Cleaver, who previously competed in the PDC World Series of Darts event in Auckland in 2015, will make his second appearance on the big stage after winning Thursday's Qualifier One.

The 49-year-old plasterer from Stratford defeated James Bailey, Tahuna Irwin, Mike Day and Ben Robb to reach the final, where he defeated Australia's Modra 6-3.

Teenager Darren Herewini, a 16-year-old sprinkler technician from Porirua near Wellington, will make his TV debut in next week's tournament after he claimed success in Friday's Qualifier Two.

Herewini defeated Mike Keen, Casey Matthews, Tahuna Irwin and Clinton Bridge on his way to the final, where he saw off experienced Kiwi Koha Kokiri - who recently qualified for both the Unibet Melbourne Darts Masters and TABtouch Perth Darts Masters - with a 6-4 win.

Kokiri was also left disappointed in Saturday's final DPNZ Qualifier as he lost in a deciding leg in the final to Rob Modra, the 45-year-old from Adelaide.

Modra, who pushed Gary Anderson to a deciding leg in their first round tie in Auckland two years ago, whitewashed both Ben Robb and Vinnie Adams and defeated Haupai Puha and Landon Gardiner for the loss of two legs in each game before edging past Kokiri.

The trio complete the field of Oceanic Representatives for the third Auckland Darts Masters, alongside Australian duo Kyle Anderson and Corey Cadby and Kiwi trio Cody Harris, Rob Szabo and Warren Parry.

They will take on eight top PDC stars in Friday's Auckland Darts Masters first round, headlined by reigning champion Gary Anderson and the legendary 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor.

2015 Auckland Darts Masters finalist Raymond van Barneveld, former TV title winners Peter Wright, James Wade and Simon Whitlock and young talents Michael Smith and Daryl Gurney complete the eight PDC representatives in the three-day tournament.

The Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB and Burger King, will be held from August 11-13 at the Trusts Arena. For tickets, visit www.ticketek.co.nz.

Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB & Burger King

Final Field

PDC Representatives

Gary Anderson

Peter Wright

James Wade

Phil Taylor

Raymond van Barneveld

Michael Smith

Simon Whitlock

Daryl Gurney

Oceanic Representatives

Invited Players: Kyle Anderson & Cody Harris

Top two players from 2017 DPNZ Rankings: Rob Szabo & Warren Parry

DPA Qualifier: Corey Cadby

DPNZ Qualifiers: Mark Cleaver, Darren Herewini, Rob Modra

DPNZ QUALIFIERS

Qualifier One

Thursday August 3, Swanson RSA

Quarter-Finals

Rob Modra 4-1 John Kelly

Darren Herewini 4-1 Clinton Bridge

Mark Cleaver 4-0 Mike Day

Ben Rob 4-1 Monty Tuhua

Semi-Finals

Rob Modra 5-3 Darren Herewini

Mark Cleaver 5-1 Ben Robb

Final

Mark Cleaver 6-3 Rob Modra

Qualifier Two

Friday August 4, Swanson RSA

Quarter-Finals

Koha Kokiri 4-2 Mike Day

Jason Ladbrook 4-3 Rob Modra

Clinton Bridge 4-0 Ben Robb

Darren Herewini 4-3 Tahuna Irwin

Semi-Finals

Koha Kokiri 5-0 Jason Ladbrook

Darren Herewini 4-1 Clinton Bridge

Final

Darren Herewini 6-4 Koha Kokiri

Qualifier Three

Saturday August 5, Swanson RSA

Quarter-Finals

John Kelly 4-1 Selwyn Robson

Koha Kokiri 4-2 Mick Lacey

Landon Gardiner 4-0 John Hurring

Rob Modra 4-2 Haupai Puha

Semi-Finals

Koha Kokiri 5-0 John Kelly

Rob Modra 5-2 Landon Gardiner

Final

Rob Modra 6-5 Koha Kokiri

ENDS

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