By David Nagel
Only a miracle final-round result will see Snipers removed from top spot on the South West Gippsland Dart League ladder after a thrilling 8-7 victory over second-placed Cheers in the penultimate game of the season.
In a game that had everything – including two 180s and a massive number of tons – Snipers won by the slimmest of margins to move a game and percentage clear at the top of the table.
Snipers have a bye in round 13, so have no opportunity to build on their current record of 132-48, while Cheers face third-placed Predators in the final game of the season.
Cheers, currently with a record of 119-46, would need to defeat Predators 14-1 to remove Snipers from the top rung on the ladder.
The game between Snipers and Cheers was a ripper, with the big guns from both sides letting their darts talk on the night.
For Snipers, Bill Richardson fired his second 180 for the season while top-marksman Dean Gibbs was also on fire.
Gibbs rifled in seven tons on the night, with Richardson adding to his 180 with three tons of his own.
Cheers were super-brave in defeat, and will fancy their chances of turning the tables on Snipers when finals begin in a fortnight.
Ant threw three perfect darts to score his first 180 for the year, while also accumulating seven tons for the match.
Liam Edwards and Shane Barnett both threw five tons for Cheers, who need to win this week against Predators to earn a top-two spot and a double chance come finals.
It won’t be an easy assignment for Cheers, with Predators chalking up their 10th-consecutive win with a 12-3 victory over Dart Devils.
Jordan Gray continued his fine form, throwing five triple-figure scores, to keep the Predators right on track.
Just Social is timing its run perfectly, climbing to fourth place after a comfortable 12-3 victory over Dart Attack.
JJ Jenkins and Terry King were in good form for Socials, who play fifth-placed Mud Rats in the final round of the season.
Mud Rats would have to defeat Just Social 11-4 to snatch back fourth place on the ladder.
Mud Rats will need to turn its form around quickly after a surprising 11-4 loss to AAA Dartz.
Michael M propelled AAA to victory, throwing six tons to be the best player on the oche.
In other games, 26ers moved to eighth with a 10-5 win over Bullseyes, while Generals scored their third win of the season with a 9-6 success over Gembrook.
Dart Vaders had the bye.
SWGDL SUMMARY – ROUND 12
RESULTS
Snipers 8 def Cheers 7, Predators 12 def Dart Devils 3, AAA Dartz 11 def Mud Rats 4, 26ers 10 def Bullseyes 5, Just Social 12 def Dart Attack 3, Generals 9 def Gembrook 6. Bye: Dart Vaders.
LADDER
Snipers 44, Cheers 40, Predators 40, Just Social 32, Mud Rats 28, AAA Dartz 20, Dart Devils 20, 26ers 16, Dart Vaders 16, Garfield Generals 12, Gembrook 8, Dart Attack 8, Bullseyes 4.
FIXTURE – R13
Cheers (2) v Predators (3), Dart Vaders (9) v AAA Dartz (6), Dart Devils (7) v 26ers (8), Mud Rats (5) v Just Social (4), Bullseyes (13) v Generals (10), Dart Attack (12) v Gembrook (11). Bye: Snipers (1).
MOST TONS
Dean Gibbs (Snipers) 78, Liam Edwards (Cheers) 60, Chris Richardson (Snipers) 49, Jordan Gray (Predators) 48, Michael M (AAA Dartz) 44.
MOST 180s
Liam Edwards (Cheers) 4, Chris Richardson (Snipers) 3, Michael Tuck (Mud Rats) 2, Shane Barnett (Cheers) 2, Nathan B (Predators) 2, Bill Richardson (Snipers) 2, Terry Griffin (Dart Attack), Scott Dale (Mud Rats), Steve P (Predators), Jordan Gray (Predators), Terry King (Just Social), Ant (Cheers).
TOP PEG OUTS
Bill Richardson (Snipers) 157, Ant (Cheers) 134, Ricki Beath (Just Social) 110, Fred Dewart (Dart Vaders) 101, Jordan Gray (Predators) 101.
