The chasing pack made the most of its opportunity in round six of the South West Gippsland Dart League (SWGDL) with Snipers, Predators, Just Social and Mud Rats closing the gap on ladder-leaders Cheers.
The only undefeated team in the SWGDL sat idle with the bye, allowing its nearest pursuers to make a move and bring the top five to within one game of each other on the ladder.
Second-placed Snipers bounced back strongly from last week’s shock loss to Generals with a convincing 13-2 victory over Gembrook.
The Snipers put the foot down early and were never seriously challenged with Dean Gibbs throwing seven tons on the night and his teammate Chris Richardson three.
Gibbs, with 38, now leads by 10 on the list of most tons from Predators star Jordan Gray, who threw four triple-figure scores in a thumping 14-1 win over Dart Vaders.
Shane Van Eyk and Nathan Button also threw tons for the Predators, who have now won five straight after a disappointing loss to Snipers in round 1.
Dart Vaders need to turn things around, having now lost their last three.
Just Social moved to fourth place on the ladder with an 11-4 success over Bullseyes.
JJ Jenkins had the radar dialled in for Socials, knocking down three tons for the night, as Bullseyes continue their struggles after a great start to the season.
A round-one victory over Dart Attack has been followed up with four losses for Bullseyes and a bye.
And fifth-placed Mud Rats will be breathing a little easier after a thrilling 8-7 win over 26ers.
Mud Rats began the season with three wins, but recent losses to Cheers and Predators left them with some work to do.
The win of Mud Rats brought to an end a two-game winning streak for 26ers; who now slip to eighth place on the ladder.
A 78-pegout to Ted Jordan was the individual highlight in a 10-5 victory for AAA Dartz over Dart Devils.
Jordan has been one of the most consistent players in the SWGDL for many years, and is showing no signs of slowing down.
AAA have been one of the big movers in recent times; now winning three consecutive games after no wins from their first three outings.
And last but not least, Generals are once again celebrating after a hard-fought 8-7 win over Dart Attack.
Things were looking grim for Generals after round 4, but a 0-4 record has quickly transformed into 2-4 after back-to-back 8-7 triumphs.
The close loss for Dart Attack leaves them sitting second last on the ladder; equal on zero points with Gembrook.
The two bottom teams have to wait until round 13 before they face each other at the oche.
SWGDL SUMMARY – ROUND 6
RESULTS
Predators 14 def Dart Vaders 1, Snipers 13 def Gembrook 2, Generals 8 def Dart Attack 7, Just Social 11 def Bullseyes 4, Mud Rats 8 def 26ers 7, AAA Dartz 10 def Dart Devils 5. Bye: Cheers.
LADDER
Cheers 20, Snipers 20, Predators 20, Just Social 16, Mud Rats 16, Dart Devils 12, AAA Dartz 12, 26ers 8, Garfield Generals 8, Dart Vaders 8, Bullseyes 4, Dart Attack 0, Gembrook 0.
FIXTURE – R7
Snipers (2) v Dart Attack (12), Gembrook (13) v Bullseyes (11), Generals (9) v Mud Rats (5), Just Social (4) v Dart Devils (6), 26ers (8) v Dart Vaders (10), AAA Dartz (7) v Cheers (1). Bye: Predators (3).
MOST TONS
Dean Gibbs (Snipers) 38, Jordan Gray (Predators) 28, Liam Edwards (Cheers) 27, Shane Barnett (Cheers) 19, Shane Van Eyk (Predators) 19.
180s
Michael Tuck (Mud Rats) 2, Bill Richardson, Chris Richardson (Snipers), Liam Edwards (Cheers) 1.
TOP-THREE PEG OUTS
Tim Williams (Snipers), Ricki Beath (Just Social) 110, Fred Dewart (Dart Vaders), Jordan Gray (Predators) 101.
