PHOENIX 'B' gave themselves a real chance of taking the York John Smith's Ladies League division one title when Tracey Farmeary-Carol Pipes took the decider in 20 darts to beat leaders York Arms.

It was a tremendous match which had plenty going on prior to the thrilling finale.

Carole Layne included a 180 score to give York Arms the opener, but Angie Hields, Farmeary (125,100) and Pipes replied before Roz Kerr (100, 100) and Michelle Britton levelled.

Hields-Sue Smith shot a brilliant 19-darter, but York Arms again squared the scores with Julie Coyle-Freda Metcalfe. York Arms' lead is cut to four points but Phoenix crucially have a match in hand.

Sandra Winters (156) put Phoenix 'A' on the scoresheet after Diane Armer, Jeanette Craven and Sue Claydon (98 finish) had given Cygnet 'B' a flier.

Carol Perrett (138, 100) and Babs Harrison squared the singles, then paired Carol Perrett (138,100) and Babs Harrison squared the singles before teaming up to win the decider.

Slip were 4-2 down at Ox but took all the pairs, Claire Robinson partnering Jackie Clemit to secure the 5-4 result.

Tap were in full flow to beat Clifton 6-3, who had Sandra Fairclough starring. Dringhouses led 3-0 before Maggie Druett started a Cygnet revival which saw them 4-3 up. However, Elaine Oliver-Lynne Dacre levelled and Margaret Bell partnered Chris Noble to seal the win.

Clifton 'A' top division two after proving too strong for Burton WMC whose Val Pinder and Julie Bruce were their only successes.

Second-placed Slipper beat Shepherd 'A' 5-4. Slipper's landlady Anita Adams partnered Aline Turpin to secure the decider.

Leeman 'B' won 6-3 at Shepherd 'B', who had a 93 checkout by Jackie Hooper.

Clifton 'B' had only Linda Embleton successful in the singles against Britannia 'A', while Britannia 'B' went down at Jubilee, whose Sylvia Keenan paired with Maxine Midgley to seal a 5-4 win.

Holgate lead division three despite losing 6-3 at Old Ebor, whose Kim Simpson gamed in 24 darts.

Paul Cooper threw an excellent 18 darts to inspire Bay Horse 'A' to victory over nearest rivals Clifton 'A' in York Atlas Auto Services League division one.

Martyn Turner (20) gave Clifton 'A' a fine start, and Neil Hart added a 100 finish. However, a 24-dart 701 from Allan Galley-Rich Corner and fine darts from Kev O'Hara, partnering Cooper, gave Bay the 5-4 result.

Paul Dixon and Vic Botterill each recorded 20 darts in Volunteer's whitewash of Huntington SC, while a 20-darter from Mick Nixon levelled Tap's singles score against Clifton 'B' and Tap then took all the pairs.

In division two, leaders Crescent 'A' had John Pickering including a maximum in 20 darts in their 6-3 win over Howden Arms. Pickering also weighed in with a 119 finish to crown a fine performance. Eric Jennings notched 180 for Howden.

Six Bells lost ground on the leader when losing 6-3 to Clifton 'C', whose Steve Scott did well while Bell's best was a 112 finish from Phil Richards. Ebor's climb continued with a 5-4 victory, which saw Graham Hudson hit a maximum against Fulford Arms.

Reindeer demolished Burton 'A' 9-0, while Crescent 'B' took all the pairs to win 6-3 against Leeman.

Division three leaders Hospital Social Club had a narrow 5-4 win over Indoor Bowls Club, while in-form Puss stayed second by beating Winning Post 6-3.

Shepherd's dominance of York Unique-Phoenix League continued with an emphatic 6-1 at Tap. Mick Wilsden starred and was well backed by 21-dart wins by Barry Davidson and Mark Jones. John Smith prevented the whitewash.

Bishopthorpe SC leap-frogged into third place with a 4-3 win at Phoenix. Arthur Conyers weighed in with two 20-darters and Tony Raymond took the decider.

Rob Henman starred for Acomb SC in their 6-1 crushing of Lord Collingwood, while Jeff Twort was Lord Nelson's 4-3 match winner against Red Lion.

Applications for the winter season must be received by Monday, September 16.

Updated: 12:12 Tuesday, September 03, 2002