THE battle for the York Phoenix Open League division one championship has hotted up after the top two teams ' latest victories.

Bay Horse 'A' whitewashed Howden with Kev O'Hara including a maximum for 17, while Greyhound had a last game win over Cygnet, who lost the aggregate by 19.

John Smith (20) gave Phoenix a start before Huntington 'B' took a 3-1 lead. John Quantock (21) levelled before Phoenix took the rest.

An 18-darter from Volunteer's Paul Dixon saved the aggregate. However Russ Turpin's 180 and an 18-darter from Pete Turnbull gave Slipper the win.

Meanwhile John Pickering gamed on 20 to inspire Mitre to a 5-4 win against Leeman whose Steve Parkinson hit the tons to save the aggregate.

Crescent 'A' wrapped up the division two championship after a 6-3 win over house rivals Crescent 'B', while Woodman took all the singles against Jackdaw to stay in second place.

Graham Hudson notched a maximum in 23 darts as Ebor romped to a 6-3 victory at Huntington 'A'.

Locomotive closed in on the division three crown with a walk-over against Mount, while Crown had Danny White out in 21 to guide his team to a 7-2 victory.

The annual general meeting for the Phoenix Open League will take place at the Hospital Social Club on Wednesday, March 24, starting at 8pm.

In division one of York John Smith's Mixed League, Kev Walton (16) starred but Cygnet 'A' lost to Cue Ball who had Pete Leake hitting six ton-plus scores. Wendy and John Smith were the match winners.

A fine 24-darter from Di Moorland stood out in Cygnet 'B's defeat at league leaders Huntington, while Phil Smith-Mandy Waddington were Leeman 'A's match winners after Martyn Turner gained in 20 against Slipper 'B' who had Phil Chapman closing on 106.

In division two, Chris Bullen hit a maximum against Crescent whose Paul Bartnett gamed in 21 before Neil Fairclough's Tina Anderson sealed the win.

Thompson turns on the style

CHRIS Thompson gamed in a super 17 darts in York John Smith's Men's League division one.

He then partnered Tony Cooper in a 24-dart leg to give Roy Parkinson and Tony Gregory the opportunity to snatch the decider for Sun 'A' against front-runners Shepherd. This allowed Cygnet 'A' to go clear top after making no mistakes with a 7-2 win at Rose and Crown.

Paul Brandon (17), Martyn Turner (20) and Graham Sanderson led Clifton 'A' to a 6-3 victory at Blacksmith's whose Neil Rippon hit a 180.

Paul Calpin opened with 18 darts for Flag 'A' only to see Bay Horse hit back to win 6-3, Rich Plummer and Ken Wallace taking the all important fifth game.

Mick Coupland (18) then paired up with Derek Bell to take the decider for Dringhouses at Green Tree 'B' after Steve Snowden and Rich Beddows gave them hope with a 26 dart 701.

Division two leaders Clifton 'B' had Barry Noble (21), Neil Hart and Gary Nicholson playing well to speed them to a 8-1 win over Groves. While Ged McMahon (20) and Mark Delaney (82 finish) led second placed Swan to a 9-0 whitewash of Osbaldwick.

Dave Endeacott (21) led Cue Ball to a clean sweep over Sun 'B'. Pete Watson (21) and well backed by Ken Moment and Steve Forth pushed Institute to a 7-2 victory over Green Tree 'A' whose Kev Pallister started the match with 21 darts.

Gary Farthing hit the tons as Cygnet 'B' beat near neighbours Old Ebor 8-1 while Slip 'A' grabbed a 5-4 win at Holgate, Alan Graham and Rich Craig taking the points.

Updated: 10:58 Friday, March 12, 2004