This is Mike De Decker’s first World Series tour and he showed he was very keen to perform in Australia when reaching the final before succumbing to Luke Littler. Mathers has been well beaten in recent tournaments by the likes of James Bailey and Tim Pusey. This will be a 6-1 or 6-0 game.
At the most recent DPNZ event in Hamilton, John Hurring put up average of 62, 70, 72 and 66. Josh Rock is the hottest arrowsmith in the world right now not named Luke Littler. He averaged 108 when smoking Simon Whitlock.This is the best chance of a sweep.
Local Jonny Tata served us well last week when covering his first round matchup with Luke Humphries, losing 6-3 with an average of 83.85. Price failed to cover his first roud match against Joe Comito on the back of some ordinary doubling before losing in the quarters to Chris Dobey. Very happy to be with Tata again.
Early exits from the Canterbury Open and NZ Open do not bode well for Dean Reyland. Damon Heta was ruthless averaging 110 in smoking James Bailey 6-0 in the opening round last week. Expect something similar here.
Very keen to get around Kiwi Ben Robb in this one. Robb has been playing very well of late with averages over 90 in four of his last six. Robb has won at least three legs in two of the last three New Zealand Darts Masters.
There is no doubt that Haupai Puha is the best Kiwi player and he showed that last week when he took Luke Littler to a deciding leg. Puha averaged a very respectable 88.29.Luke Humphries was poor in Australia and who knows if the illness he suffered lingered but it often does when travelling.
Don’t underestimate veteran Kiwi arrowsmith Mark Cleaver here. The 57yo has been playing well of late and comes off a win in the Hutt Valley Singles and a recent victory in Hamilton. Luke Littler tends to start these events slowly. Best bet of the night.
Suspect there could be an upset on the cards when former World Championship finalist Simon Whitlock meets Chris Dobey. Dobby reached the semis in Australia but averaged 90.27 or less in two of his three matches. The Wizard was blown away by Josh Rock but did average 93.26. The plus is an outstanding bet.
Round 1 Multi
Mike De Decker -2.5/Josh Rock -4.5/Jonny Tata +4.5/Damon Heta -3.5/Ben Robb +4.5/Haupai Puha +4.5/Mark Cleaver +5.5/Simon Whitlock +3.5 ($15.05)
Overall Winner
Damon Heta @ $13.00
Damon Heta has lobbed on the easy side of the draw with Bunting, Dobey and Humphries so he can make a run. Heta was super in the first round last week before running into Luke Littler. He is throwing tremendously and he is not a player whose motivation will be questioned here.
Tournament Props
170 Checkout – Yes @ $2.00
There have been seven 170 checkouts at the last three World Series with The Big Fish falling three times in Poland before The Nuke hit one in Wollongong. The World Series is as much show as it is competition so nobody will pass up the opportunity to land the big one.