Midvaal North women secure 10th place at DSA Nationals

A first appearance at national level ended with a 10th-place finish for a Midvaal North Darts Association women’s team at the Darts South Africa Nationals, held in Cape Town during July.

The side competed in closely fought matches, with most of the players taking part in the national tournament for the first time.

Only captain Chantelle Swart and Yolandi van der Ryst had previously competed at the Nationals. The pair also represented Sedibeng Darts District after qualifying through trials.

Midvaal North Darts Association president said the team’s performance showed promise despite several narrow defeats.

“I am very proud of each lady. They did our association proud and I know that the ladies will get better and better in the future. They are going to become a force to be reckoned with,” he said.

The tournament also gave the first-time competitors a taste of the demands of national-level darts, including keeping score without the use of a calculator while staying focused on their games.

Several players recorded some of their best darts and highest finishes during the competition.

Van der Ryst also made club history by becoming the first woman at Midvaal North to throw a 180, the highest possible score with three darts.

The team will next compete in the Gauteng Darts Federation Currie Cup at the Dinwiddie Sports Centre in Germiston on August 22 and 23.

They are preparing through regular practice at home and during club nights, with the association hoping for a top-three finish in their block.

The side consists of Swart, Emma Posthumous, Daleen Botha, Van der Ryst and Dani Botha, with Hermien Swart serving as manager.