By David Nagel
A brilliant 110-checkout from Tim Williams was the inspirational highlight for Snipers as the perennial finalist smashed arch-rivals Just Social 12-3 in round four of the South West Gippsland Dart League (SWGDL).
Snipers and Socials have had some epic finals battles over the last few years, and both headed into this contest with unblemished records to defend.
But Snipers bounced out of the blocks quickly with some precision tickling of the tungsten; with Williams earning a round of sustained applause for his evening highlight.
His teammate Dean Gibbs was also at the top of his game, throwing seven tons for the night, while Aaron Simpson and Chris Richardson were other Snipers to throw multiple triple-figure scores.
Snipers sit in number-one position on the ladder, while Just Social drop to sixth after their worst performance of the season.
Cheers is the other undefeated team in the SWGDL after an impressive 10-5 victory over Mud Rats.
Both of these teams were unbeaten heading into round four, but Cheers just had too many weapons up their sleeve on the night.
Proven-star Ant lit up the oche with a clinical 98 closure, while Liam Edwards and Shane Barnett – with three and six tons respectively – also showed their class.
Cheers now sit second, while Mud rats drop to fourth.
Predators, meanwhile, made it three wins on the trot with a 9-6 win over Dart Attack.
Shane Van Eyk knocked over a 70-checkout for Predators, while Jordan Gray threw five triple-figure scores to move to outright third on the impressive list of most tons.
Gray has 16 tons for the season, with Gibbs on 25 and Edwards on 21 the only players above him.
While the top two teams were in red-hot form; two sides from the bottom part of the ladder also tasted victory on Tuesday night.
AAA Dartz opened their account with a 12-3 success over Gembrook, while 26ers were made to work harder in a 9-6 win over Generals.
And Dart Devils have bounced back to the winners’ list with a 10-5 victory over Dart Vaders.
The Devils tasted defeat for the first time last week against Mud Rats, but three tons to Doug Amos ensured his team was a little too good on the night.
Meanwhile, Bullseyes had the round four bye.
The highlight match in round five sees fifth-placed Predators host the Mud Rats who currently sit in fourth place.
SWGDL SUMMARY – ROUND 4
RESULTS
Dart Devils def Dart Vaders 10-5, AAA Dartz def Gembrook 12-3, Snipers def Just Social 12-3, 26ers def Generals 9-6, Predators def Dart Attack 9-6, Cheers def Mud Rats 10-5. Bye: Bullseyes.
LADDER
Snipers, Cheers 16, Dart Devils, Mud Rats, Predators 12, Just Social, Dart Vaders 8, AAA Dartz, Bullseyes, 26ers 4, Garfield Generals, Dart Attack, Gembrook 0.
FIXTURE – R5
Snipers (1) v Generals (11), Just Social (6) v Gembrook (13), 26ers (10) v Dart Attack (12), AAA Dartz (8) v Bullseyes (9), Predators (5) v Mud Rats (4), Cheers (2) v Dart Vaders (7). Bye: Dart Devils (3).
MOST TONS
Dean Gibbs (Snipers) 25, Liam Edwards (Cheers) 21, Jordan Gray (Predators) 16, Aaron Simpson (Snipers) 15, Shane Barnett (Cheers) 15.
180s
Michael Tuck (Mud Rats) 2, Bill Richardson, Chris Richardson (Snipers) 1.
TOP-THREE PEG OUTS
Tim Williams (Snipers), Jamie Brown (Snipers) 104, Fred Dewart (Dart Vaders) 101.
