BAY HORSE 'A' returned to the top of York Atlas Auto Services League division one following an emphatic 9-0 win over Huntington SC.

An excellent 18-darter from Dave O'Hare was well backed by Paul Cooper (20) and Simon Craven (21).

Despite a 114 finish for 21 and an Eric Sleightholme 21-darter, Bishopthorpe were on the wrong end of a 6-3 scoreline at Clifton 'A', whose Martyn Turner's 20-darter got them off to a fine start. Martin Waddington squared the match at 3-3 then Clifton went on to take all the pairs.

Slipper were 4-0 up at Tap before Shaun Clappison closed on 95. Then, a John Smith 19-darter inspired Tap to an exciting ninth game win. Vic Botterill stood out for Volunteer in a 6-3 win at Clifton 'B'.

In division two, leaders Crescent 'A' had their match won within the singles, despite Ebor's Graham Hudson closing 106 for 16 darts. Second-placed Six Bells went down 5-4 to Howden Arms. Pete Smithson and Steve Burton shone for Howden, while Baz Sherratt notched a maximum for Bells.

Crescent 'B' lost 5-4 at Clifton 'C' who had Anthony Baxter-Barry Smith as match winners. However, good scores from Stan Isaac and Derek Alexander salvaged Crescent the aggregate.

Good games from Vic Reed and Dave Cormack put Woolpack in the driving seat as they beat Fulford 6-3.

Sue-Geoff Holmes (106 finish) got Mount's only point against division three pacesetters, Hospital Social Club, whose Simon Johnson did well. Ann Robinson showed she was Winning Post's strongest link when taking their only singles point at Indoor Bowls.

Shepherd 'A' held on to the York John Smith's Men's League division one lead with a fine 701 in 23 darts by Mick Willsden-Chas Ramsden against Sun 'A'.

Kev Walton-Dave Gibbons shadowed that with just 20 darts in the last game.

Paul Keers threw 18 darts in Trafalgar's win over Bootham Tavern, while Derrick Hudson also took only 18 as Holgate beat Swan 6-3.

Poacher's Ray McInally was a 180 scorer and gamed in 19 against Osbaldwick, while Pete Green-Darren Hoban clinched Green Tree 'B' the decider at Dringhouses.

Chasing the leaders, Cygnet 'A' beat Lighthorseman 6-3, Mark Hartley winning in 18 and Keith Turner a maximum scorer.

Cygnet 'B' saw their chance of any division two award diminish at Vaults when Keith Mercer gamed in 20 and Phil Smith in 21, before the latter took out 109 to snatch the aggregate with the tie's final throw.

Only Chris Ruddock got on the Institute 'A' score-sheet against the leaders Shepherd 'B', likewise Alan Williams-Maurice Baker for Sun 'B' against Groves.

Saddle were set on the way to a 7-2 over Slip with a splendid 104-checkout on bullseye by Noel Cooper.

Despite four tons-plus from Paul Partridge-Chrissy Noble, Slipper 'B' lost the decider to Beeswing's Jim Hawksby-Chris Hayward in York John Smith's Mixed League division one.

Slipper's Mick Willsden was a 180 scorer, as was Harry Watson in Huntington's 6-3 over Leeman 'A', while Cygnet 'A' only managed 5-4 at Leeman 'B', Paul Mizon-Dawn Exton winning at number nine.

Cygnet 'C' also won 5-4, John Miller-Marie Marshall taking the match against Bay Horse. Tap too scraped home with Dave O'Hara-Rose O'Bee at Three Tuns.

A fine 107-finish from Chas Ramsden wrapped up a 7-0 York Unique-Phoenix League win for Shepherd against Phoenix, which puts them top of the table by one point.

Paul Botterill and Mick Wilsden also played well, while Owen Legg included a maximum.

Second-placed Slipper had Steve Reynolds scoring 180 before closing on 100 for a magnificent 14-darter against Acomb SC, whose only point came from the Rob Henman-Mike Harris combination. Rob Platt and Paul Partridge also turned in good performances.

Arthur Conyers shot 20 darts for Bishopthorpe SC but found Tap too strong as Darren Bailey, Jim Wallis (21), then John Smith (21), gained the upper hand. Chris Platt took Bishopthorpe's only singles point.

Lord Collingwood raced to a 3-0 lead only for Red Lion to square. Collingwood's Keith Graham then bagged a brace of 21-darters, including a 118 finish to take the match. Lion's best was Sean Singleton.

Applications for the winter season are now being accepted. Contact John Smith (01904 341651).

Updated: 12:18 Tuesday, August 13, 2002