ANOTHER Viking invasion of York yielded winning plunder for the raider, but home forces almost gave as good as they got.

Reigning British Darts Organisation Lakeside world champion Andy 'The Viking' Fordham was the man who tried to carry off all before him when he attended the SLV fund-raising committee charity night at the Clarence Working-Men's Club in Clarence Street.

Out of the 20 contests he faced, Fordham finished a 12-8 victor, but he took hits off esteemed York arrow-wielders Michelle Britton, Beryl Glover, Di Moorland, Maureen Tindall, Trev Platt, John Smith, Mark Blundell and Jim Hawksby, who all gained creditable triumphs.

Fordham, who used the event to prepare for the British Pentathlon championships in which he will play 20 different opponents, said he was delighted about his latest raid on York.

"It's a great place to visit," said the man who has been performing at the top level of oche exploits for ten years. "Provided, that is, you can find a place in which to park."

Organised by Pat Bowness, Anita Adams and Neil Fairclough, the event raised close on £1,150.

Other gallant peformances against Fordham came from Toni Smallwood, Dawn Exton, Linda Embleton, Tracey Bruce, Angie Heilds, Tracey Farmeary, Yvonne Broadhead, Matt Carr, Kelvyn Frankel, Dave Smith, Mick Holdsworth and Nick Harteveld.

Meanwhile, Neil Caywood produced a 123 finish for a fantastic 15 darts for Cygnet 'A' in York John Smith's Men's League division one.

Shepherd 'A' hit back through Heath Scaife and Mark Jones-Keith Turner (27) taking the last game decider to claim the points.

Kelvyn Frankel (19) and Paul Keers (21) and then in tandem, also took the last game to give Crescent the points at Clifton 'A' after Martyn Turner (20) gave them a good start.

Andy Lawson (19) and match-winners Neil Long-John Pickering gave Mitre a 5-4 win over Sun 'A', who, with a stunning 23-dart leg from Chris Thompson-Tony Cooper rescued the aggregate.

Ray McInally (180 for 19 and a 71 bull finish) and Rob Carr-Mark Gale (88 finish for 27) gave Poacher the advantage as they beat Swan 6-3.

A bull finish from Steve Thompson was the highlight for Cue Ball as they beat Dringhouses 6-3.

The shock of the week came in division two after Phil Smith (180) and match-winners Mark Gamble-Pete Ella gave Slip Inn the points at high-flying Cygnet 'B'. Brian Harden hit a 180 for Rose & Crown as they beat Holgate 6-3.

A good win from Flag 'A' captain Paul Calpin was cancelled out by Osbaldwick captain Derek Adamson who recorded a 7-2 victory, while leaders Clifton 'B' cruised to a 9-0 win at Institute.

Mike Percival (19) led division three leaders Shepherd 'B' to a 7-2 score at Bootham Tavern.

Wayne Markwick-Kev Pallister (27) secured the win for Green Tree in the last game at Flag 'B'.

The pairs competition saw last season's winners, Kev O'Hara-Ally Wray (Bay Horse) go out in the first round to Tony Sissons-Geoff Dawson (Three Cranes), who got to the board final where they were defeated by Nick Harteveld-John Smith (Phoenix).

The competition favourites Paul Cooper-Rich Corner (Bay Horse) included two fantastic 701 legs of 17 and 18 darts, but were beaten in the board final by Mick Harris-Chris Wilson (Howden Arms) in a pulsating match.

In the third board final, Woodman's Tony Raymond-Paul Armstrong booked their semi-final place with a 2-0 win over Phil Good-Dave Binks (Phoenix) with Raymond hitting a superb 116 finish.

The last board final pitched Huntington's Pip Hair-Keith Elliott against Wendy Smith-Jim Wallis (Phoenix), in which the latter sealed a semis spot with a 2-1 win after both pairs squandered chances.

Updated: 10:52 Friday, June 25, 2004