By David Nagel
It’s time for finals to begin in the South West Gippsland Dart League (SWGDL) after a thrilling conclusion to the home-and-away season last week.
In one of the standout performances of the season, Dean Gibbs from Snipers threw a fantastic 14-dart leg as the second-placed Snipers took care of third-placed Warriors with an emphatic 10-5 victory.
Gibbs finished the home-and-away season with 124 tons, a whopping 31 clear of his nearest pursuer.
Snipers will now take on top-team Just Social in this week’s division one second-semi-final, full of confidence after their last-round triumph.
Meanwhile Just Social lost its first game of the season in round 18, 9-6 to fifth-placed Wizards, but there were extenuating circumstances.
Just Social had just four players on the night, giving the Wizards the opportunity to inflict the biggest upset of the season.
Just Social will be back to its best for this week’s first round of finals, while the Wizards will take a huge confidence boost into their division two semi-final against Gembrook.
In other round-18 results, Paky One defeated Rebels 9-6, Gembrook overcame Bullseyes 10-5, and Mud Rats defeated Fore 9-6 in a battle of the bottom two teams on the ladder.
The SWGDL now splits into two divisions for finals, with teams one to four – Just Social, Snipers, Warriors and Paky One – making up division one and teams five to eight – Wizards, Rebels, Bullseyes and Gembrook – fighting for the division two title.
In division one, Just Social and Snipers have earned a double-chance but all other finals this week are cut-throat eliminators.
Warriors (third) and Paky One (fourth) square off in division one, while Wizards (fifth) take on Gembrook (eighth) and Rebels (sixth) battle with Bullseyes (seventh) in division two.
Spectators are most welcome to attend the Tuesday-night matches in the SWGDL, with games beginning at 7.30pm at the home of darts – the Cardinia Club in Pakenham.
SWGDL
RESULTS – ROUND 18
Paky One 9 v Rebels 6, Snipers 10 v Warriors 5, Mud Rats 9 v Fore 6, Wizards 9 v Just Social 6, Gembrook 10 v Bullseyes 5.
LADDER
Just Social 68, Snipers 60, Warriors 56, Paky One 48, Wizards 32, Rebels 28, Bullseyes 24, Gembrook 20, Mud Rats 20, Fore 4.
FIXTURE – FINALS WEEK 1
DIVISION ONE
Just Social (1) v Snipers (2)
Warriors (3) v Paky One (4)
DIVISION TWO
Wizards (5) v Gembrook (8)
Rebels (6) v Bullseyes (7).
MOST TONS – TOP FIVE
Dean 124, Aaron 93, Terry 82, Tim 74, Thom 65.
180’s
Jamie W (4), Dean (3), Dale (2), Troy, Tony, Glenn, Thom, Terry, Damo, Shane, Will, Noel, Wayne and Terry.
100+ PEG OUTS
129 – Anthony (Warriors), Dean (Snipers), 122 – Thom (Rebels), 114 – Jamie W (Just Social), 110 – Paul (Paky One).
