By Marcus Uhe
2025’s South West Gippsland Dart League (SWGDL) season is underway with Snipers picking up where they left off to finish the previous year.
In a grand final rematch, the reigning champions inflicted further pain and a percentage hit to vanquished opponents, Predators, claiming a resounding 12-3 victory.
Snipers trio Dean Gibbs, Aaron Simpson and Bill Richardson combined for 21 tons, with Gibbs, second for total tons in 2024, opening his season with 10.
Jamie Brown, meanwhile, threw the highest peg of the round at 104.
Shane Van Eyk (seven), Jordan Gray (six) and Etty (five) combined for 18 tons for Predators but lacked the necessary firepower and depth to overcome their nemesis.
It wasn’t the biggest win of the opening round of action, however, with Cheers picking up a 13-2 result over 26ers.
Former champions Just Social picked up an impressive 11-4 win over last year’s finalists in Dart Vaders, with JJ Jenkins throwing six tons, while Mud Rats claimed an impressive 11-4 victory over the consistent Gembrook.
The SWGDL remains incredibly popular in the region with 13 teams signing up for a new season of bullseyes, flights and big scores.
The season will be a 12-week competition with finals slated for mid-May.
Dart Devils and AAA Dartz have joined the fold, with Railway, Hoodies and Fore making way.
It was a difficult offseason for the competition, however, with the passing of former Mud Rats team member, Don Hunter, in November
Results R1: Cheers 13 v 26ers 2, Snipers 12 v Predators 3, Dart devils 10 v Garfield Generals 5, Just Social 11 v Dart Vaders 4, Mud Rats 11 v Gembrook 4, Bullseyes 11 v Dart Attack 4. AAA Darts – Bye.
Ladder: Cheers 4, Snipers 4, Just Social 4, Mud Rats 4, Bullseyes 4, Dart Devils 4, Garfield Generals 0, Gembrook 0, Dart vaders 0, Dart Attack 0, Predators 0, 26ers 0, AAA Dartz 0.
Fixture R2: Snipers (2) v AAA Dartz (13), 26ers (12) v Predators (11), Garfield Generals (7) v Cheers (1), Dart Vaders (9) v Gembrook (8), Dart Attack (10) v Dart Devils (6), Mud Rats (4) v Bullseyes (5). Just Social – Bye.
