MAGNET pipped Coach for the division three title in the final week of the York White Rose Ladies League.

Ann Allen put Magnet into a 3-1 lead but home team Tramways pulled level with wins from Linda Healy and Val Mackfall. The Osbaldwick side needed wins from Carole Coundon and Cynthia Senior to secure victory.

Coach, Magnet's closest rivals, were cruising, opening up a 5-1 lead and looking to crush William. But the Tadcaster-based side failed to put William away as Brenda Bainbridge, Val Bell and finally Nancy Moss made the eventual score 5-4. This late revival cost Coach the title as they finally trailed Magnet by only one point.

Runaway division one champions Sun had Lisa Harrison hitting a 22 darter but were condemned to only their second defeat of the season by in-form Crescent.

Institute's decisive 6-3 win against Deramore ensued second spot for the Railway side, while Beryl Glover's terrific 20 darter inspired Fulfordgate to victory over relegated Palace to take third place from Burton WMC who finally crumbled thanks to a spirited performance from New York.

Collingwood's dominance of division two continued as they extended their unbeaten run to five games by pipping Post 5-4.

Clarence won the mid-table encounter with Tap by a convincing 6-3 scoreline.

Gill Houlden's 24 darter caught Fulford Conservatives floundering as the Bowing club surprised their high-flying opponents 5-4.

This, coupled with Pat Wright's last game win for Earswick to beat Bumper 5-4, meant there would have to be a play-off for second place in division two.

In the resulting play-off, Pam Barker put Earswick into a 4-1 lead and one win away from victory.

But Fulford bounced back with wins from Sarah Gorley, Grace Todd and Liz Jackson to set up a winner-takes-all finale. In a tense deciding final game it was Moira Atkinson who hit the deciding double to hand victory to the Fulford-based side.

Will all teams please note that the league's final night is being held tonight at the Crescent WMC starting at 8pm. The opening matches in the Summer season are scheduled for the following week.

Updated: 12:57 Tuesday, March 27, 2001