It was almost as if darts player Peter Hunt was flicking away pangs of guilt after a crushing win last night.

Soon after clinching the North Island Masters Championship title the 43-year-old from Palmerston North saluted his finals opponent, Neville Moss, of Masterton.

Hunt told SportToday: "Neville was my idol and I learned a lot about darts from him."

No, his mentor didn't teach him anything about keeping his hands steady and what trajectory to take to the board and all that jazz that makes dart players tick.

"He taught me a lot about things off the dart board - how to win and lose.

While the crowds cheered as the pair traded shots, Hunt pulled away from the action to watch his experienced opponent play.

"I felt it was great to be part of the final. There was no ugly darts," said Hunt, who started playing the sport with his parents, Stumpy and Margaret, in the garage of their Greytown home.

"They never pushed me, they just encouraged me." Former national representative Hunt, who pocketed $1000 and much-needed New Zealand-ranking points that will boost him to No.1 or No.2 in the country, beat Koha Kokiri, of Kapi Mana, 4-2 in the semifinal and Derrick Samson, of Palmerston North, 3-1 in the quarterfinals.

Moss beat Mark McGrath, of Taupo, 4-3 in the semis and pipped Wayne Carey, of Wainuiomata, 3-2, in the quarters. The players are now eyeing the New Zealand Puma Masters in August in Palmerston North.

In the women's competition, Hawke's Bay player Kathy Orbell was the singles champion after beating her North Island representative mate, Mihi George, 5-4.

It was the first title for Orbell (pictured right) who prevailed in the 501, best of nine legs after an average performance in the drawn pairs on Saturday.

"It was determination. I had to play to stay and things turned my way. Once you're up there, there are no friends out there. You're playing for yourself ," said a modest Orbell, who thrashed Peggy Wikaira 4-0 in the semifinal and Jannette Jonathan, of Taumarunui, 3-0 in the quarters before pocketing $600.

"The money's going in the bank tomorrow or else I'll spend it on rubbish," said Orbell, who is a home aid for the Hawke's Bay Hospital in Hastings.