SUN Inn stormed to an 8-1 victory in York Unique-Phoenix Darts League division one encounter with Rose & Crown.

Sun went 2-0 up after Chris Thompson-Tony Cooper recorded a fine 25-darts 701 leg, with Thompson adding excellent legs of 16 and 18.

Kev Walton (17 & 21) sealed the win before Dave Gibbons (20) and Cooper checked a 102 finish to game in 21, then a further 21. Best for Rose was Scott Dowsett.

Shepherd SC strengthened their grip on second spot with an 8-1 result against Phoenix 'A'.

A brace of 17-darters from Heath Scaife (180) wrapped up the win, with Mick Willsden backing with 180 for 21 and Chas Ramsden adding a 21. Mark Hartley (17) was best for Phoenix 'A'.

Hospital Social Club 'A' team's title challenge is over after a narrow defeat to Cygnet 'A', who had 20 and 21-darters from Pete Leake and a 21-darter from match winners Jack White.

Despite maximums from Alice Hawthorn's James Allen and Jon O'Mara for superb 15-darters, Bishopthorpe SC took the match 6-3, with Tony Raymond doing well with a 20-darter.

Slipper had 20-darters from Paul Partridge and Phil Chapman on their way to a 6-3 win against Acomb SC, whose Andy Morton also closed in 20.

Division two leaders Cygnet 'B' had a comfortable win over Hospital Social Club 'B', with Paul Cooper gaming on bull for 21 and Ally Wray contributing two 22-darters.

Blacksmith's had Keith Elliott out in 21 and Tom Hair notching a maximum in their 8-1 win against Sun Inn.

Steve Hedley and Steve Simpson both hit 21-darters as Flag ran up a 8-1 victory against Holgate, whose Gaz Stewart took their only point.

Sue Lowery hit a 107 finish (17, T18, D18) to take Phoenix 'B' to the win over Lord Nelson.

Tankard 'A' top the Marston Moor Darts League after John Collins and Mark Woodward put in 24-darters for a fine 6-3 win over Ox, whose Jamie Taylor closed on 78.

Collingwood's 8-1 win against Lord Nelson saw Steve Wragg score two tons for a splendid 23 darts, with Chris Hall backing well with 25 darts.

Oak suffered a 5-4 defeat but took the aggregate point against Alice 'B', whose Jon O'Mara (100) gamed in 27, while Arthur Bond closed on 70 as Lion demolished Sports Club.

The Clifton Hotel are holding an Individual Open darts knockout competition. The qualifying rounds will take place on four consecutive Fridays (February 27, March 5, 12, 19). The winner will receive £150, with prizes to runner and semi-finalists. For further details, contact Neil Hart at The Clifton.

Updated: 11:18 Tuesday, February 17, 2004