SHEPHERD 'A' saw their York John Smith's Men's Darts League division one title hopes take a serious setback when Cygnet 'A' stormed to a 7-2 win.

Cygnet's skipper, Keith Turner, took the match within the singles with a fabulous 180 for 14 darts. Chas Ramsden (20) was the only Shepherd player to reply.

The scene was set with excellent games from Mark Hartley (18), John Mooring (16) then Mark Miller (17).

Division one leaders Sun 'A' were given an excellent 18-dart opener by Bill Hopcutt, and went on to win 6-3, with 18 from Tony Cooper and 17 from Chris Thompson included.

Paul Keers replied for Trafalgar with 18 darts and Rich Plummer threw a 180 score.

Glynn Jeffrey sealed Yearsley's victory but Flag took the pairs and the aggregate, while Green Tree 'B' had Gary Wensley out in 18 in an 8-1 scoreline at Shepherd 'B'.

Poacher were pushed by Vaults to maintain their place. Gary Hannigan completed on bullseye and the match was clinched at number nine by Gary Kynman-Ray McInally.

Barry Noble breezed in with 17 darts for Dringhouses but Saddle had Andy King, Billy Morrison, Alistair Horne, then Noel Cooper, taking the result to be decided in the pairs.

Dringhouses edged the first two then Mick Coupland-Ken Robinson raced home in the decider.

A maximum in 19 darts by John Holden led Osbaldwick, the division two leaders, to an 8-1 win over Institute 'A', while Holgate, in second place, took the last game with Derrick Hudson-Mick Brookes to shade a plucky Phoenix performance.

Lighthorseman moved up with 6-3 at Groves, which included 21 darts from Paul Bartnett, while only Pat Butler was Sun 'B' team's sole success at Swan, whose best was Barry McLaughan.

Pete Bull was in outstanding 17-dart form to inspire Slipper to a 7-2 win in their York Atlas Auto Services League division one encounter with Bishopthorpe SC.

Turnbull was well supported by Rob Platt, who closed on bull, while Bishopthorpe's best was Tony Raymond.

Tap ran into in-form Escrick to end up on the wrong end of a 7-2 result. Escrick had the match won within the singles, with Mark Blundell in excellent 18-dart form and Steve Limbert contributing a 99 finish. Dave Bath closed in 20 darts while Darren Bailey was Tap's only singles winner.

Neil Hart notched a maximum for Clifton 'A' in their 7-2 win at Volunteer.

Cygnet's march to the division two championship was bolstered by an 8-1 win over Fulford Arms, whose Simon Collins prevented the whitewash.

Huntington 'A' took the first five games before Ebor's Graham Hudson checked a 110 finish.

Good game shots also featured in Howden's match with Woolpack. Dave Tatterton closed 84, followed by Andy Edkin's 91 shot which pushed Howden to a 6-3 victory.

Arthur Scott (20) and John Wyrill (21) got Crescent 'B' off to a fine start against Acomb, while a 21-darter from Mick Powell and all the pairs games wrapped up a comfortable 6-3 for Crescent 'A' at Burton Stone.

Leeman still lead division three after a 6-3 win at Bumper, while a 21 darter from Keith Elliott and a 110 finish from Pip Hair keeps Huntington 'B' in contention. Craig Norrie was Winning Post's only singles success as Bells ran out 6-3 winners.

In division four good scores from Adrian Chesterton and Pete Duncan helped Hospital Social Club to a fine win over Bay Horse 'B'.

Meanwhile Mount, secured the aggregate although beaten 6-3 at Crown.

Updated: 12:14 Friday, December 21, 2001