By Marcus Uhe
Crucial victories for Dart Vaders and Gembrook in round 17 of the South West Gippsland Dart League saw them both make crucial gains in the intense seeding jostling in the competition’s top eight.
Gembrook climbed from seventh to sixth thanks to a 12-3 win over Dart Attack, and Dart Vaders climbed into the top four after sneaking home in an 8-7 result over Just Social.
Both Just Social and Mud Rats slipped one position, with Mud Rats falling out of the top four due to an inferior percentage to Dart Vaders.
Mud Rats had no answer for the Snipers’ double act Chris R and Aaron, who both threw their second 180s of the season in a 12-3 thrashing, as the ladder leaders stretched their unbeaten run to 17 games.
Michael put up a valiant effort for Mud Rats with a second 180 of his own, but lacked support in the loss as his side’s five-game win streak came to a crashing halt.
Eight tons to Steve from Predators, meanwhile, saw him eclipse the 100-ton barrier in style in his team’s seventh consecutive win.
Predators thrashed Bullseyes 12-3, with Jordan contributing seven tons of his own, and a third 180 of the year, tied for third most for the season.
Fore, meanwhile, tasted victory for the first time since round 12, in a 9-6 defeat of Generals.
Results R17: Fore 9 v Generals 6, Snipers 12 v Mud Rats 3, Predators 12 v Bullseyes 3, Dart Vaders 8 v Just Social 7, 26ers 11 v Hoodies 4, Gembrook 12 v Dart Attack 3, Cheers 12 v Railway 3.
Ladder: Snipers 68, Predators 64, Cheers 48, Dart Vaders 48, Mud Rats 48, Gembrook 40, Just Social 36, 26ers 36, Fore 24, Railway 20, Generals 16, Bullseyes 12, Dart Attack 4.
Fixture R18 (23 July): Bullseyes (12) v Snipers (1), Dart Vaders (4) v Predators (2), Hoodies (14) v Mud Rats (5), Gembrook (6) v Just Social (7), Cheers (3) v 26ers (8), Generals (11) v Dart Attack (13), Fore (9) v Railway (10).
