NEIL Long was in excellent 16-dart form for Mitre in their York Atlas Auto Services League division one encounter with Bishopthorpe SC.

He also combined with Brian Farrell to clinch the win while John Pickering notched a maximum. The best player for Bishopthorpe was John Rolls.

Escrick's 7-2 victory over Volunteer saw Dave Bath close in 19 darts and Dave Pilmoor hit a maximum. Rob Platt (18) stood out for Slipper against Tap.

In division two, John Clemit-Steve Lane were match winners for Cygnet over Huntington SC, whose best came from Gary Richardson. Good scores from John Miller secured the aggregate.

Ebor bowled over Acomb CC with Dean Platt among the tons, while Mike Harris did enough to salvage the aggregate for Acomb.

Crescent 'A' took the honours against house rivals Crescent 'B' with Chris Parlabean closing on 104. Howden had a 5-4 victory against Fulford Arms while Paul Tallon the pick of the players for Burton in their 6-3 win at Woolpack.

Division three leaders Leeman consolidated their position with an emphatic 7-2 win over Winning Post. Yearsley had Geoff Mudd combining with Tracy Merrills to secure the win over Reindeer, whose Col Merthens scored well to save the aggregate point.

Phil Good-Brian Allen were match-winners for Six Bells over Indoor Bowls while Natalie Hall did well for Jackdaw, but Bumper took a 5-4 victory and with good scores from Jim Boyne, wrapped up the extra point.

Runaway division four leaders, Clifton 'C', outplayed Hospital Social Club, while Sarah Jackson prevented the whitewash as York Arms were sunk by Ship.

Sun Inn 'A' have taken over the leadership of York John Smith's Men's League division one after knocking back one of their main contenders.

They beat Poacher, for whom Ray McInally shot a splendid 16 darts but Sun were well led by Bill Hopcutt and a strong 701 from Chris Thompson-Tony Cooper sealed a 5-4 victory.

Cygnet 'A' sped to a 7-2 win against Yearsley Grove which included a fine 14 darts from John Mooring and 21 by skipper Keith Turner.

Barry Noble set Dringhouses off to a 6-3 triumph over Victoria Vaults with a superb 180 for 17 darts. Gary Wensley shot 21, then took the decider with Steve Snowdon, for Green Tree against Flag whose Gordon Foster threw 180.

Rich Stevenson was a maximum scorer in Trafalgar's 6-3 win against Shepherd 'B'.

There were 180s to count by both Bruce Alexander and Pete Ella in the Slip Inn result sheet. However, Cygnet 'B' won the match points 5-4, David Broadhead-Ian Hartley taking the decider.

That enabled Holgate, 7-2 winners over Groves to move into second place in division two, while Horseman improved their position by beating Institute 'B' 7-2. Paul Bartnett gamed in 21 darts.

Only Wayne Pagdin found the finish for Sun 'B' against Phoenix while Paul Hayes started well but Swan slipped to 4-2 defeat in his side's encounter at Institute 'A'. However, Mark Delaney threw a 180 score and Swan took all three pairs with Peter McNichol and Delaney getting the decider.

Updated: 12:03 Friday, December 14, 2001