BIG scoring by the powerful Phoenix 'B' team was to no avail in their York John Smith's Ladies Darts League division one match against Castle Howard Ox.

Reigning singles champion Tracey Farmeary and Sue Smith shot two tons each but Castle Howard Ox produced the finer finishing technique.

In the ninth game Sandra Bruce, partnering Karen Alton, checked 89 with two for 20 darts which gave Ox a tremendous 5-4 win.

Phoenix 'A' fared no better as Dawn Exton, with three ton-plus scores, gave Cygnet a match winning 5-1 lead.

Every division one match finished 5-4. Sue Lowery and Caroly Layne took the decider for Brigadier after Olive Blades and Betty Tate had put Nags Head all square.

Clifton's Sharon Neads scored high, but Aline Turpin with Debbie Lodge clinched the match for Slipper.

Jeanette Craven included 160 to give Vaults a 4-3 cushion but Slip's Claire Robinson, partnering Wendy Smith, levelled and their captain, Jackie Clemit, and Glenda Mordue clinched victory.

Britannia's Rose Foakes shot out on 117 for 24 as they beat division two rivals Shepherd 6-3.

Cherelle Jarvis hit the tons as Brown Cow overwhelmed Leeman 'A' 7-2. Rosie Hattee and Maureen Murray secured a 5-4 victory for Cygnet against Leeman 'B' team.

Severus took a 4-2 lead into the pairs against Clifton, whose Ruth Norman and Jan Wilberham pulled one back, but Sue Richardson and Carol Robson secured the club side the match.

Dot Trousdale included a superb 170 in her singles win for Half Moon, but Britannia 'A' team's last pair, Chris Swales and Kath Williams, saw them home.

Tang Hall WMC lost the first and last against Clifton but produced their best in between to glide to a 7-2 win. Pat Price and Jackie Beswick clinched the match for Woolpack against CueBall, whose Joan Hunter won the last game single handed.

Ann Wood, partnering Julie Stables, won the decider to Shepherd at Old Ebor as did Leeman's Shelagh Kenny and Colleen Cunniff to back up a fine 168, 115 game by Ann Reagan against Puss 'n Boots.

Kath Croft, Lucy Harris and Teressa Weetman gave Woodman a good start against Brown Cow, who hit back through Colette Wilson, Michelle Kelly, and their captain, Joan Knowles. Harris, partnering Sue Carlisle, sealed the win.

Kevin Walton was in outstanding form for Cygnet 'A' in York John Smith's Mixed League.

In a clean sheet win over Three Tuns, Walton gamed in 17 darts and shot a maximum score.

Cygnet 'B' went down 6-3 to Leeman 'A', whose Martyn Turner recorded 20 darts. Leeman 'B' won the decider at Slipper 'B' with Derek and Jean Smallwood.

Maureen Tindall produced the best performance of the week playing in York White Rose Ladies League. A 19 darter inspired Institute to a 4-3 victory against Winning Post, whose Lily Jackson gamed with a good 23 darts.

Division one leaders Fulfordgate found themselves behind 2-1 against Bells, but singles victories, rounded off unnervingly by Karen Reasbeck's fine 23 darter, rescued the division one top team.

Fantastic darts from Heather Beadnell (21) and Julie Scattergood (20) saw Sun sensationally maul Magnet 7-0 to stay within five points of the leaders with two matches to go.

Tap took a 5-0 lead, but Crescent countered with Lesley Benson and Chris Horseman. Emma Footit won the battle for New York over middle of the table rivals Burton WMC.

Division two leaders Coach hit back from 2-1 down to beat Bay Horse thanks to wins from Lili Enman, Maggie Adamson and Yvonne Ryder.

Two of Coach's closest rivals for the title were surprisingly defeated. Skipper Rose O'Bee played well, but Bumper lost to bottom-placed William.

All games went against the throw in Rufforth as the village team's skipper Sally Umpleby gained the anchor leg win for Tankard to beat Collingwood.

Jackie Barnett and Moira Atkinson secured Fulford Conservatives a 5-2 win against Nags Head.

Updated: 12:12 Tuesday, September 25, 2001