By Marcus Uhe
Four wins now separate the top three from the rest of the competition in the South West Gippsland Dart League with seven weeks remaining in the competition on the back of round 19s results.
A top-four showdown between Cheers and Mud Rats went down to the wire, but the result put a dint in Mud Rats’ hopes of finishing in the top four, as Cheers made it a half-dozen favourable results in a row in the 8-7 victory.
In the end in was star power that carried Cheers over the line, as Liam nailed five tons and
Shane and Ant also chipped in, each consolidating their positions in the top six of the tons leaderboard.
Scott added three for Mud Rats, but his efforts weren’t enough to secure the four points.
Mud Rats have slid back to fifth place as a result, equal on points with Dart Vaders but with a marginally inferior percentage – having scored just one point fewer than Dart Vaders, and conceded one point more.
Dart Vaders jumped the rodents thanks to a 10-5 win over Bullseyes to take them to 13 wins.
Predators and Snipers both recorded comfortable victories over Gembrook and Hoodies, respectively, with Snipers reaching a 19th consecutive win.
A third 180 of the year for 4×4, meanwhile, went a considerable way to helping Just Social return to winning ways, following a three-game winless streak.
Along with four tons, 4×4 led the way as the former competition powerhouse notched an important victory over Generals.
Fore’s upset of 26ers, and Railway’s defeat of Dart Attack, meanwhile, keep their respective finals hopes alive.
Results R19: Cheers 8 v Mud Rats 7, Dart Vaders 10 v Bullseyes 5, Predators 13 v Gembrook 2, Snipers 15 v Hoodies 0, Just Social 11 v Generals 4, Fore 9 v 26ers 6, Railway 10 v Dart Attack 5.
Ladder: Snipers 76, Predators 72, Cheers 68, Dart Vaders 52, Mud Rats 52, Gembrook 44, Just Social 40, 26ers 36, Fore 32, Railway 24, Generals 20, Bullseyes 12, Dart Attack 4, Hoodies 0.
Fixture R20: Bullseyes (12) v Hoodies (14), Gembrook (6) v Dart Vaders (4), Cheers (3) v Snipers (1), Generals (11) v Predators (2), Fore (9) v Mud Rats (5), Railway (10) v Just Social (7), Dart Attack (13) v 26ers (8).