DARREN Hawcroft shot a splendid 16-darter as Poacher consolidated their place in York John Smith's Men's League division one.

Ray McInally supported with 21 darts and Poacher went on to beat Swan, Barry McLaughlin-Ged McMahon saving the whitewash at number nine.

Sun started with 19 from Chris Thompson then Glenn Waterworth put Bootham Tavern level with 19 darts also. Tony Cooper threw 21 darts as Sun steamed to a 6-2 result.

The leaders Shepherd 'A' out-paced Lighthorseman whose opener John Holden included a 180. Mick Willsden found an excellent 18 darts while Kev Walton-Dave Gibbons closed 701 in 20.

Chris Flanagan and Derrick Adamson were Osbaldwick's only winners against Cygnet 'A' while Dringhouses had Derek Bell checking 108 but won only the aggregate at Holgate, who were given a 5-4 victory by Pete West-Alec Cowden.

Gary Wensley inspired Green Tree 'B' to a 5-4 over Trafalgar, sealed by Dave Fotheringham-Stan Jackson.

In division two, the front runners Shepherd 'B' included 21 darts by John Dykes in a 6-3 over Victoria Vaults while Noel Cooper-John Page put Saddle safe at Sun 'B'.

Dave Dobson shot 19 darts as Flag cemented second-place at Institute 'B'. Slip's Mick Shepherd threw 180 for 20 darts in a 6-3 victory over Green Tree 'A'.

Both Barry Houlden and John Morrison included 180 scores as Groves went to a 7-2 result over Institute 'A'.

Three fastest finishes competition: 48 Kevin Pallister, Green Tree 'A' (14, 16, 18); 49 Kevin Walton, Shepherd 'A' (15, 16, 18), Chris Thompson, Sun (14, 17, 18); 50 Tony Cooper, Sun (15, 17, 18); 52 Mark Hartley, Cygnet (16, 17, 19), Mick Willsden, Shepherd 'A' (16, 18, 18).

Fulfordgate had their York White Rose Ladies League division one lead reduced to two points when beaten 4-3 by Winning Post. Gloria Harrison put Post all square at 3-3 and their captain, Ann Robinson, came up with the decider.

Second-placed Sun beat Railway Institute 5-2, which included a tremendous dual between Maureen Tindall (100, 100) and Julie Scattergood, who threw three tons to game in 16 darts. Ann Franks rounded off the win with 23 darts.

Lesley Benson sealed a win for Crescent at Tap while Carol Quantock, Jan Smith then Jayne Allen took the last three to pip New York 4-3.

Lord Collingwood won only the team game against division two leaders Golden Slipper, who lead Fulford Conservatives by five points.

Coach, a further point away, left it late to beat Clarence. Maggie Adamson and Yvonne Ryder took the closing games to win 4-3.

Big scoring by Alison Briggs (116, 129 in the pairs and 134 to win her singles) helped Deramore to a victory over Huntington.

The top team in division three, Alice Hawthorn, had their lead cut to two points. Crystal Palace beat them 5-2 Amanda Bevan was in fine form while Brown Cow had Pam Thornton taking the decider at King William.

Nags Head, Askham Bryan, picked up their first win of the season with a sound 6-1 win over Tankard. Angela Forth recorded an excellent 18-darter.

Updated: 11:36 Friday, June 07, 2002