By David Nagel
The number of undefeated teams in the South West Gippsland Dart League (SWGDL) is about to be cut in half with a magnificent round-four set to sort out the early-season pecking order.
The class at the top of the ladder is about to lock horns with Just Social (fourth) taking on long-time rivals Snipers (First), while Mud Rats (Third) and Cheers (Second) will also square off in a blockbuster encounter.
Just Social only narrowly held its undefeated title in round three with an unexpectedly-tight 8-7 win over AAA Dartz.
AAA was thumped 14-1 in the previous round by Snipers, but came out firing with a 65-peg out to Michael being one of the feature highlights of the match.
Things went pretty smoothly for the other top-four contenders, with Mud Rats defeating Dart Devils 9-6; Snipers downing 26ers 11-4, while a superb night at the oche from Liam Edwards led Cheers to a 12-3 win over Dart Attack.
Edwards claimed the highest check-out of the night with 92, and also battered the ‘lipstick’, moving into second place on the list of most tons with eight for the evening.
Dart Vaders made it back-to-back wins with a confident 10-5 victory over Bullseyes, while Predators also made it two on the trot with a commanding 12-3 win over Generals.
Gembrook had the bye in round three, and along with Generals, AAA, 26ers and Dart Attack; will be looking to open their account in round four.
Two of those teams will enjoy the sweet taste of victory for the first time this season, with four of the winless bottom-five taking on each other this week.
In other highlights this week; Dale Pronk (84) and Hayden Katta (56) both hit 5-plus finishes, while Bill Richardson moved to third on the most-tons tally with seven for the night.
Snipers’ star Dean Gibbs hit four tons in round three to lead the competition with a total of 18 for the season.
SWGDL SUMMARY – ROUND 3
RESULTS
Dart Vaders def Bullseyes 10-5, Mud Rats def Dart Devils 9-6, Snipers def 26ers 11-4, Just Social def AAA Dartz 8-7, Predators def Generals 12-3, Cheers def Dart Attack 12-3. Bye: Gembrook.
LADDER
Snipers, Cheers, Mud Rats 12, Just Social, Dart Devils, Predators, Dart Vaders 8, Bullseyes 4, Gembrook, Garfield Generals, AAA Dartz, 26ers, Dart Attack 0.
FIXTURE – R4
Just Social (4) v Snipers (1), Generals (10) v 26ers (12), Gembrook (9) v AAA Dartz (11), Dart Attack (13) v Predators (6), Mud Rats (3) v Cheers (2), Dart Devils (5) v Dart Vaders (7). Bye: Bullseyes (8).
MOST TONS
Dean Gibbs (Snipers) 18, Liam Edwards (Cheers) 15, Bill Richardson (Snipers) 14, Shane Barnett (Cheers) 12.
180s
Michael Tuck (Mud Rats) 2, Bill Richardson, Chris Richardson (Snipers) 1.
TOP-THREE PEG OUTS
Jamie Brown (Snipers) 104, Fred Dewart (Dart Vaders) 101, Jay Mazruek (Mud Rats) 92, Liam Edwards (Cheers) 92.
