Barry Noble retained the York Exhibition Hotel Group League individual title for the third time on the trot.

The Dringhouses ace started with a superb 16 (180 included) in the first semi-final against a determined Mick Willsden (Shepherd's) who levelled with a fine 18.

Noble then produced another brilliant 16 to meet Cygnet player Dave Mason who went straight into the final due to a late injury incurred by Trafalgar's semi-finalist Paul Keers.

Mason threw some good scoring darts in the final but Noble's experience saw him take the league's top prize 3-0 (24, 16, 17).

However Mason's assault on the pairs title took a turn for the better when he and Heath Scaife lifted the trophy by beating Kev Pallister and Paul Wilson 2-1.

Then in the final they beat another Green Tree pair, Gary Wensley and Pete Green (180 scorer) 2-0. The latter knocked out Shepherd's duo Kev Walton and Dave Gibbons 2-1.

Gary Wensley was again on stage against Heath Scaife in the Captain's Cup final. Scaife took the cup for a second successive time after a closely fought match.

Cygnet won the team championship by beating Saddle after a tremendous tussle.

Keith Turner checked 132 in the singles then partnered Heath Scaife to eventually take the match 5-3. Paul Cooper (18) played well for Saddle.

Kev Walton and Barry Noble had lowest games of 15, 15 16 during the season to share the Three Fastest Finishes competition.

Noble was deservedly adjudged player of the season.

All teams note New Earswick Bowls Club will be playing from Yearsley Grove pub for the forthcoming season.

All competition entries and signing sheets must be completed and returned to Victoria Vaults no later than April 7.

Pack's Baz Varley included a maximum 180 to record a magnificent 13 darter in division two of the York Maxiprint League.

Division two champions Tap were given a shock as Pack went 2-0 up. However John Smith spearheaded Tap's attack with a brilliant 101 finish for 15 darts and was well supported by Darren Bailey and Alex Render to run out 6-3 winners.

In the same division, Tony Raymond included a 180 to close in an excellent 14 darts as Bishopthorpe recorded a 6-3 victory over Huntington 'A', whose Harry Watson also notched a 180.

Arthur Conyers also did well for Bishopthorpe, hitting four tons to wrap up a good team performance.

In division one, Mick Bell (20) put Britannia 'A' in front only to see John Mooring (18) get Punch back on level terms.

Further good darts from Tony Cooper (19) and Martyn Turner (180 for 19) saw the match all square after the singles.

Punch took the first two pairs to secure the win and fine darts from Turner, Martin Waddington and Graham Sanderson snatched the aggregate point, but with one match remaining, Britannia require one point to retain the championship.

Mitre's Sam Pearson hit a maximum then Dave Binks and John Pickering combined to be match winners against Dick Turpin, while Nags had a comfortable 7-2 victory over Britannia 'B'.

Pete Edwards was among the tons for 21 darts while best for Britannia 'B' was Tony Noble.

Steve Johnson was Volunteer's marksman hitting 180 and a 105 check-out against Slipper.

Palace's division two encounter at Reindeer went to the last game before the pairing of Phil Paylor and Karen Alton took the match for Reindeer, but good scores from Mark Harrison salvaged the aggregate point.

A 104 check from Roger Pirrie ensured a Leeman victory against Six Bells.

The battle for honours in division three will be going down to the wire after Yearsley's emphatic 8-1 victory over Winning Post and Crescent's narrow win at Howden Arms.

Gary Nicholson stood out for Yearsley while Carol Agar and Jan Undrill were Post's only success. Crescent had to thank Eric Ellison's good scores to secure the win, however Steve Burton played well to gain the aggregate point for Howden.

With one match remaining, Crescent's lead is just one point.

Woolpack's Dave Cormack was top player in their 6-3 victory over Bay Horse while Simon Errington scored well for Ship, but it was Indoor Bowls who took the match by seizing the next five games on the trot.

All teams must have applications for the Summer season to the league secretary no later than Saturday, March 31. No applications will be accepted after this date.

Updated: 12:55 Tuesday, March 27, 2001