EMPANGENI Rugby Club (ERC) were crowned Empangeni Darts Sports League champions on Wednesday evening at Mick Kelly Park, after beating SMEE in a sudden death cricket match.
The team of JP van der Westhuizen, Vleis van der Westhuizen, Naas Strydom, Pieter van Rooyen, Richard Harvey and Chris Els threw pin point darts in a sudden death cricket match, after the teams tied 5-a-piece after playing cricket, nomination killer and 501 to claim the bragging rights and their third title.
The action started off with SMEE captain Mike Bekker throwing a bull to beat ERC captain Vleis to win the toss in the opening cricket match.
Bekker elected to bowl (throw bulls) first.
ERC managed to reach 173 in their first innings and bowled SMEE out for 105.
ERC then was dismissed for 121 in their second innings, which SMEE failed to reach (71) handing ERC a 1-0 lead.
Harvey and JP took on the mother and daughter combination of Ann and Zaide Smith in a nomination killer game.
Harvey threw a trip 15, 16, 18 and 19, with partner JP throwing a trip 14, 17 and 20 to whitewash the ladies and extend their lead to 2-0.
But SMEEs bounced back, with Bekker and Herman Steyn beating Strydom and Vleis and Ronnie McEwan and Marcel Jansen beating Van Rooyen and Els in a nomination killer game to level the match at 2-2.
SMEE then edged their nose in front, when Jansen closed 25 (9 and double 8) in 501 game to beat JP and Harvey.
Vleis and Naas levelled matters up when beating the Smith’s in a 501 game.
With tension and pressure building, Van Rooyen stepped up and closed 78 (trip 19, 1 and double 10) in his 501 match-up with Bekker and Steyn to give his side a narrow 4-3 lead.
Bekker and Steyn then beat JP and Harvey in a nomination killer game that saw Steyn hit trip 13 and 16 and Bekker hitting trip 14 and 15.
With things all level once again, McEwan and Jansen stepped up and delivered for SMEE to beat Strydom and Vleis in a nomination killer game.
Van Rooyen and Els then beat the ladies in the last nomination killer game of the night to level the entire match up at 5-5.
With everything all square, the two teams headed into a sudden death cricket match.
SMEE batted first and scored 64, which ERC followed up with 226.
SMEE then made 301, leaving ERC with 139 to win with 10 bulls in hand.
Things came down to the wire and ERC needed 12 runs to win.
Harvey stepped up to the line and threw 100 (trip 20, 20 and 20) to cement the overall victory for his side.
The new league will start on Wednesday 1 June.
Teams have until Friday 27 May to enter.
For further information or to enter the new league contact Willie van Rooyen on 081 0981800.
