NEWLY-promoted Holgate WMC had Shepherd 'A' on the ropes in their York John Smith's Men's League clash.

Good games from Mick Brookes (20) and Gary Stewart (21) added to by Mick Bell then Alec Cowden, put Holgate within an ace of victory.

But experience told as Shepherd squeezed home with the three pairs on form, Kev Walton-Rod Thompson combining to get the decider.

Sun beat Osbaldwick 7-2 with Tony Cooper gaming with an excellent 18, including a pairs maximum, while Doug Sutcliffe supported with 19 darts.

Mark Hartley set Cygnet 'A' off with a splendid 16 darts. John Mooring made it 2-0 with 18 and Keith Turner (180)-David Mason ended Dringhouses' hopes with a tremendous 20-dart 701.

Trafalgar tore into a 4-2 lead against Poacher, whose Ray McInally threw 180 in 19 darts and Lee Brundrett finished on bull.

Trafalgar's Paul Keers opened the pairs with a 180 score. Even so, Poacher pinched the glory, McInally (180) and Gary Kynman edging victory at number nine.

In division two, Swan had a 180 scorer in Paul Hayes but Lighthorseman consolidated on an opening 19 darter by John Holden to win 6-3.

Shepherd 'B' captain Mike Percival shot 21 darts which went towards the aggregate win, but Flag came good late in the match to win 6-3.

Sun 'B' led 4-3 but Colin McMahon-Mark McClaren levelled and Old Ebor had Mark Allan (180) partnering Pete Miller to get the match win.

Green Tree 'A' beat Institute 'A' 6-3 spearheaded by Kev Pallister's fine 18 darts.

Derek Hartley put Cygnet 'B' 5-0 up at Groves, while Andy King-Kev Graham took the decider for Saddle at Victoria Faults.

Champions Bay Horse 'A' got their York Atlas Auto Services League division one campaign off to a super start with an emphatic 9-0 win at Bishopthorpe SC.

Dave O'Hara closed in 19 darts and Allan Galley backed with 20. Rich Corner, Paul Cooper, and Kev O'Hara each notched 21 darters before taking all the pairs. Dave King was Bishopthorpe's best player.

Tap's season began with a splendid 8-1 win over Huntington, whose only point came from the Dave Ware-Pete Freeman combination. Mick Nixon weighed in with a superb 16 darter and Dean Saxton marked his Tap debut with a fine 21 darts.

Dave Binks included 180 for 19 as Clifton 'A' took all the singles. Volunteers' Paul Botterill closed on 100 in the pairs for their only point.

Ian and Doreen Johnstone were ninth-game match winners for Slipper, while previous good scores from Rob and Trevor Platt helped wrap up the extra point. Cygnet's best came from Steve Lane.

In division two, a maximum from John Rowlands inspired Crescent 'B' to a 7-2 win at Burton, while Fulford Arms produced fine darts to run out 7-2 winners against Howden Arms, whose Steve Burton got among the tons. John Quantock (180) stood out for Six Bells and good scores from Dean Platt secured Ebor the aggregate point.

Promoted Clifton 'C' began their programme with a 5-4 win at Crescent 'A'. Barry Smith closed on bull for 81, while Mal Muncaster was Crescent's best contributor.

In division three, a superb 115 finish for 21 darts from Mick Snowden didn't prevent Acomb Hotel from taking the win. However, consistent scores from Tony Husband salvaged the aggregate.

From being 2-0 down Hospital Club rallied to win 6-3 through the pairing of Adrian Chesterton and Steve Rice.

Updated: 11:16 Friday, March 29, 2002