CYGNET 'A' increased their lead in York Unique-Phoenix League division one with a 7-0 whitewash of Holgate WMC.

Pete West and Derrick Hudson did well for Holgate. However, a 90 bull check for 18 darts from Pete Leake clinched Cygnet's win, while Dave Mason threw a maximum for 18 darts and Mark Hartley weighed in with 19.

Martyn Turner (17, 20) and John Holmes (18, 20) guided Clifton to a 5-2 victory against Tap who took the team game, with John Smith taking their singles point.

Shepherd had Paul Botterill (20) and Mick Willsden (21) each notching maximums, with Owen Legg (20) also in form in a 6-1 victory over Slipper, whose Paul Partridge found the tons.

Bishopthorpe's Arthur Conyers recorded a superb 15 darts and Tony Raymond included a 180 in 20 darts. But Mike Harris secured a 4-3 result for Acomb with a nail-biting last leg win.

Division two leaders Rose & Crown had Scott Dowsett finding an excellent 116 out-shot and followed with a fine 19 darts to inspire a 6-1 win against Sun, while Paul Cooper was well backed by good scoring from Lee Hirst to put Cygnet 'B' in the driving seat against their nearest rivals, Phoenix.

Mick Reagan tried hard for Red Lion but Lord Nelson greatly enhanced their points total as a result of a 7-0 scoreline.

Tap 'B' had few answers to better finishing from Blacksmiths Arms. Dan Tait and Tom Hair showed up best for the latter, while Kev O'Hara took Tap's only point.

Saddle, recording a 7-2 victory at Holgate, are now the sole leaders of York John Smith's Men's League division two.

Previous joint-leaders Swan saw their challenge suffer at Blacksmiths Arms, who, after a fine Ged McMahon (Swan) opener, took the next five, Phil Derbyshire clinching the winner.

Sun 'B' team's Maurice Baker came nearest to breaking the Cygnet 'B' domination, while Jim Crosbie gave Slip the match at 5-1 against Green Tree 'A'.

Even so Tree had an excellent 701 from Rich Beddows-Colin Hodges to collect the aggregate.

A mighty battle at Institute saw the 'B' team beat the 'A'-team 5-4. Steve Iveson shot a superb 18-darter and Kev Fallowfield-Phil Taylor successfully completed the decider.

Graham Witty won well for Old Ebor but Dave Atkin got Groves going with a splendid 21 darts and Tony Bird-Pete Ross sealed victory.

In division one Craig Wedge threw a good 21-dart first game for Osbaldwick, but Rose and Crown, for whom Paul Bartnett hit a maximum, won 6-3, while Shepherd opened with 16 darts from Mark Jones and went on to beat Slip, whose only winner was Andy Mercer.

Fourteen darts by Barry Noble and a missed 11-darter by Pete Langan took Dringhouses to 3-0 and a big aggregate lead, but Dave Fotheringham pulled out a 124 on bullseye finish and Green Tree 'B' added the next four for the match points.

Consistent scoring by Poacher's Darren Hawcroft, Ray McInally (19) and Lee Brundrett (20) forged a 4-1 lead but Sun 'A' were not done.

Chris Thompson scored 140, 135, 100 then 126 finish on bull for 12 darts.

Doug Sutcliffe finished his 701 with Tony Gregory on 121 to set up the decider and Thompson included three tons, 137 with Tony Cooper to narrowly take the decider, in which McInally registered 180.

Cygnet 'A' extended their lead by beating second-placed Trafalgar 7-2.

The tons freely flowed and in the thick of it were John Mooring, Dave Gibbons and Jack White, who each gamed in 19 darts.

Rich Corner's superb 17-darter, spearheaded Bay Horse 'A' team's attack against Cygnet in York Open League division one.

Paul Cooper added a splendid 18 darts and Alan Galley backed with a 20. Best for Cygnet was Paul Lane.

John Quantock (20) shone for Six Bells, but Paul Dixon gamed in 21 darts and this, plus all the pairs gave Volunteer a 7-2 scoreline.

Clifton's Alan Smith-Ali Blake combined to take the all-important ninth game win at Crescent. Good scores from Jo Hodges and Steve Blake secured the aggregate.

John Smith recorded a maximum and Tap took all the pairs to record a 5-4 win at Slipper, whose Steve Reynolds scored well to save the aggregate.

Division two leaders Howden Arms won within the singles against Woolpack, whose Dave Cormack took their only point.

Ebor recorded a comfortable 6-3 win over Reindeer, whose Phil Paylor pulled his weight, while Leeman had to wait until the final game to take their only point at Pack, who had Greg Robinson in form.

Huntington 'B' increased their lead in division three with a 6-3 win over Fulford Arms, whose top performer was Simon Collins.

A splendid 17-darter from Jim Mallan helped Ship to a narrow 5-4 win over Mount 'B', whose Nick Harteveld played well.

Ali Wray shot 21 darts to show Bay Horse 'B' the way against promotion hopefuls Yearsley, while rivals Jackdaw had Dave Scaum-Lee Stafford as match-winners against Little John.

Updated: 10:14 Friday, January 24, 2003