Come and Try ... darts with the Jervois Ladies’ Darts Club

Every fortnight on a Thursday, you may notice the Swanport Hotel get a little louder.

That is because the Jervois Ladies’ Darts Club has taken over the top section of the pub, and they are not there to mess about.

Club president Raylene Thomas has been playing with the club for 52 years, using the same set of darts as she did on day one.

Murray Bridge News was fortunate enough to visit the group last Thursday night to chat to the club’s longest-standing member.

When did you first start playing darts?

I started playing the 1969-70 season. I had started working at the Jervois cheese factory, and a lot of the farmers’ wives would play. We had 60 members, which made up 10 teams of six, and we would play in the Jervois hall. I have been using the same set of darts since when I first started. They are heavy ones, I can’t throw anything else.

Throughout my time of playing, I have never taken a break. I love to compete. Even when my son was born in 1982, I would bring him along and the other ladies would help look after him; we say he’s a dart baby.

What do you get out of it?

The friendships: you joke all together and you get along. I’ve been with the club for 52 years and we’ve always cared about each other and stuck together. If there is ever a problem, we work it out.

We have an awards night at the end of every season where we hand out fun trophies like highest score, highest throw-out, and the “oopsie”, which is when someone gets less than 10 points for three darts. It’s a fun night.

What has been the greatest achievement of your darts career so far?

I have won the singles championships twice and the doubles championships twice. Also, since I have been here the longest, the other players know that I know the rules. So whenever there is a dispute, they will come to me for the final ruling.

Why should people come and play darts?

It’s the friendship and the companionship, and going out and having fun with the other women. You should come out and enjoy life, because we do; sometimes it gets so loud in here I can’t hear myself think. We let the kids come along, and we’re like a group of aunties. Whenever mum is playing, all the other ladies are watching the children. We’re one big family.

• More information: Call 0417 840 473.

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