Raymond Smith averages over 108 en route to record breaking start to ANZ Premier League

Raymond Smith shone on Night One of the 2026 ANZ Premier League, ripping up the record books with a108.88 averageahead of taking down Ben Robb 5-1 to get his title campaign up and running in fine fashion. Smith had recently impressed in the World Series of Darts and will be one of the big favourites to clinch this title.

Simon Whitlock is the reigning champion, but he succumbed to a semi-final defeat against Robb, who in turn had no chance against a rampant Smith in Canberra. Smith bosses proceedings in Canberra Smith had a tough task up first in the form of Brody Klinge.

The Australian Darts Masters runner-up was not at his best, especially on the outer ring, and fell 5-3 to Smith who marched into the semi-finals. He was mesmeric against a hapless Mal Cumming.

Five 180's were registered by 'The Guru', who won legs in 11, 13 and 14 darts en route to battering his fellow countryman 5-3. Cumming was left with little chance despite a decent performance at his end.

With a 108.88 average, Smith set a new ANZ Premier League record which will be very hard to beat. Up next was Robb in the final.

'Big Rig' began with a confident 5-0 whitewash against fellow New Zealand darter Jonny Tata. The reigning champion, Whitlock, was up next.

The former PDC World Darts Championship finalist came through a last-leg decider against Joe Comito but fell short against Robb in a 5-3 loss. The stage was set for a highly anticipated final.

It was a slow start to the match, but by the end Smith was motoring away. As Robb faltered, the Aussie won the last three legs in 40 darts to wrap up the first night in the Australian capital with a win.

"Brody is probably the best player in the country at the moment," Smith stated after the win. "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.