Ben Robb is the toast of Kiwi darts after his 6-4 win over Simon Whitlock in the New Zealand Masters at Hamilton's Claudelands Arena.
Robb, who lost 6-5 to Whitlock last year, became just the second Kiwi to win a game in the tournament's five-year history.
New Zealand No 1 Cody Harris threatened an upset over Raymond van Barneveld, missing a match dart at bullseye before losing 6-5 to the five-time world champion.
Fellow Kiwi Craig Caldwell also took his match the distance, losing 6-5 to James Wade after leading 5-3. World No 1 Michael van Gerwen narrowly avoided an early exit, beating Kyle Anderson 6-5 but only after the Australian missed four match darts.
The night's four other games were comfortably taken out by the favourites: Gary Anderson beat Haupai Puha 6-3, Rob Cross and Daryl Gurney won 6-2 against Warren Parry and David Platt respectively, and Peter Wright saw off Damon Heta 6-1.
