PUNCH Bowl's Pete Leake and Karen Richardson won the York John Smith's Mixed League Pairs championship in a thrilling finish to the competition.

Bumper Castle's Dave O'Hara and Jane Evans took out the reigning title holders Rich Plummer and Tracey Farmeary (Huntington) before pressing the Punch duo all the way in an exciting final.

Leake and Richardson won the other semi 2-1 against Huntington's Dave Robinson and Angie Hields.

However, Huntington had more success in the silverware stakes when a splendid 141 finish from Robinson aided a 3-2 victory over Punch Bowl in the Mixed Fours.

Adding to that Farmeary competently collected the women's individual title.

Big scoring against Britannia's Jo Brundrett propelled her to the final where an excellent 19 darter from Michelle Britton (Punch) held no fear for Farmeary.

Britton's semi-final win was a fine 2-1 victory against Hields.

Martyn Turner added his second singles title in as many weeks when winning the men's event.

The Leeman representative beat Leake 2-0, a 17 darter included, then 180 for 23, wrenched the trophy from Neil Fairclough's grasp.

Awards were presented by Lee Walsh of John Smiths Ltd.

Poacher won the tons count by a mile but Trafalgar emerged from the York Exhibition Hotel Group League battle with the match points.

Led by 180 for 17 darts from Kelvin Frankel and 21 from Paul Keers, Trafalgar won 6-3. For Poacher Ray McInally recorded 180 for 15 darts.

Cygnet's 6-3 win at Green Tree included a maximum from Jack White while Mick Addinall pulled out a terrific 147 finish as Lighthorseman beat Shepherd 'B' 6-3.

Dave Gibbons gamed in 18 to steer Shepherd 'A' to victory at Holgate whose only win came via Pete West's 107 on bull check for 18 darts.

Barry Noble shot Dringhouses off with a fine 15 darter which Alan Shipley ably supported with 180 for 17 in the 7-2 win over Flag.

Doug Sutcliffe and Mick Reagan took the decider for Sun 'A' against Green Tree 'A' while the division two leaders, Earswick Bowls, had Garry Waterworth taking 20 darts in a 7-2 at Vaults.

Second-placed Saddle saw Paul Cooper enhance a 7-2 scoreline at Institute 'A' with a splendid 17 darts. A fine Kev Fallowfield effort won Institute 'B' the aggregate although beaten 6-3 by Swan.

Slip slid back into the top four with a nail-biting 5-4 over Waggon. Slip won the last four for victory. Pete Ella checked 100 then partnered Bruce Alexander to steal the ninth game win.

Sun 'B' added to their points total with a 5-4 win at Groves, sealed by Maurice Baker and John Wheldon.

Noble and Kev Walton (Shepherd 'A') jointly lead the Three Fastest Finishes competition with 46, each registering 15, 15, 16 darts.

McInally is down to 47 (15, 15, 17) along with Cooper (15, 16, 16).

Updated: 14:08 Saturday, February 17, 2001