Ben Robb claims Night Three of the ANZ Premier League in Canberra

Kiwi representative Ben Robb has announced himself as one to watch for the Premier League as he took home his first nightly win in the capital of Australia.

His night at AIS Arena began with a scrappy clash over the other New Zealand representative, Jonny Tata, who won night one in Melbourne. After being down early 3-2, Robb responded well, winning the next 3 legs on the spin, finishing the match with an impressive 13-dart leg, averaging 84.67 in the game.

His next encounter against crowd favourite Tim Pusey was certainly his best of the night, racing out of the blocks early with a 13-dart leg in front of a packed crowd in Canberra. From there, the Kiwi just dropped just the one leg against the Aussie, ending the game in clinical style, averaging 103.38, including four maximums in a timely manner, which set him up for success.

Robb celebrates after checking out 68 against Bailey in the final to win the night

Robb then matched up against James Bailey, who, for the last fortnight, saw himself sit last on the table, having won just two legs. Bailey was a positive surprise in Canberra taking out Brody Klinge and night two winner Raymond Smith, where he averaged 89.32 against the tournament favourite, beating Smith 5-3 in a quality match.

However, Robb was too good for Bailey in the final, being in control for the majority of the game. Bailey's run to the final now pushes him up two spots on the table to 6th, after being in 8th position, having just won two legs up until Saturday. "I was really hungry tonight," Bailey mentioned after going down to Robb in the final. "I really wanted to come out and put a show on."

Despite not getting over the final hurdle, Bailey has asserted himself as one not to be pushed aside in the inaugural Premier League, just one point and leg difference separating him and Pusey, who sits in fourth on the table.

Ultimately, the night belonged to Robb, who became the third different nightly winner in the tournament, now joining Tata and Smith, pushing himself into second place, well within the mix for the title after being seventh in the lead-up to the night's action. He also pocketed a nice $2,000 bonus for the evening.

The league table after Night 3 with Robb jumping five positions as a result of his nightly win

"This gives me some good confidence, gives me a boost for the rest of the competition," Robb said after his win against Bailey, giving him some much-needed momentum.

Play continues this week as we travel down South to the state of Tasmania, to MyStateBank Arena in Hobart, with some quality quarter-final matches ready to go this Saturday night, October 25.

With just four Saturdays remaining until finals night in Brisbane, the table truly is shaping up to be a fascinating last month of action on the oche, with the two Kiwis sitting in the top four.

Episode 36 of Extra Time's 'The 9-Dart Podcast' is now out on YouTube, as we unpack this week's action!

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