Raymond Smith produced a record-breaking performance on Night One of the 2026 ANZ Premier League in Canberra, setting a new tournament record with a stunning 108.88 average in his semi-final demolition of Mal Cuming. Smith then defeated Ben Robb 5-1 in the final to cap off a remarkable evening and claim the A$1000 nightly prize along with five points to lead the early standings.
Smith's path to the title began with a quarter-final against Brody Klinge, the Australian Darts Masters runner-up. Klinge struggled on the outer ring and fell 5-3 to Smith, who averaged 90.68 in a workmanlike start. The semi-final was a different story entirely, as Smith produced a mesmeric display against a hapless Cuming. 'The Guru' registered five 180s and won legs in 11, 13 and 14 darts on his way to a 5-3 victory, with Cuming's decent performance proving futile against such brilliance. Smith's 108.88 average set a new ANZ Premier League record that will be very hard to beat.
Robb, meanwhile, opened his campaign with a confident 5-0 whitewash of fellow New Zealand darter Jonny Tata in the quarter-finals. He then faced reigning champion Simon Whitlock, who had come through a last-leg decider against Joe Comito in a 5-4 thriller. Whitlock, the former PDC World Darts Championship finalist, fell short against Robb in a 5-3 loss, ending his title defence on the opening night.
The final between Smith and Robb began slowly, but Smith soon motored away, winning the last three legs in just 40 darts as Robb faltered. After the win, Smith praised his opponents: "Brody is probably the best player in the country at the moment. Mal's probably been the most in-form player in Australia in the last couple of months and then the Big Rig is always, always hard to beat." He also credited the crowd: "This crowd, how good were they to give us this energy? I appreciate it. I've got a bit of form on the board, but it doesn't change the thinking. If I get these guys on my side, good luck to you! I'm not [usually] a 180 thrower. I throw 140s, but the crowd brought the energy for me tonight. My 180 count was pretty good, so thanks to these guys!"
Smith, who lost in the final last year, will be determined to go one better this time around. The ANZ Premier League continues on Saturday, 3rd October in Adelaide, where Smith and Robb will instantly lock horns once more in a tantalising rematch to kick things off.
