NEW York 'A' piled on the pressure in the quest for more vital York White Rose Ladies Darts League division one points, but Golden Slipper stayed cool.

Gillian-Rose Grimes put New York within a game of victory, but the Slipper's skipper, Catherine Gascoyne, slotted 134, 100 to get one back and Sheila Reynolds then Rose O'Bee added for Carol Gilbert to get an exciting decider.

Fulfordgate consolidated their lead when beating Winning Post 4-3. Beryl Glover, Marion Stilgoe and then Jane Hunt won three on the trot.

Fulford Conservatives failed to hold Coach, who were taken to victory by their captain Jill Clapham.

Alice Hawthorn's 5-2 win over Tramways was settled when Emma Webster took to the oche.

Acomb Sports lost division three ground when Glyn Ellis set up Audrey Rivoira to pinch the decider from high scoring Diane Sanderson.

Bay Horse, Murton, went down 4-3, Sam Barr finishing it off for Fox, while Iris Haigh made King Williams' night when clinching the winner at Tadcaster's Bay Horse.

Cueball came out on top in the battle with Cynget 'A' for second place in York John Smith's Ladies League division one.

Anne Bass won well both in the singles and partnering Dawn Exton, while Maggie Druett checked 70 to give Cygnet a sound start. Angie Hields (100,140) put the snooker club into the attack and they recovered to clean up the remainder.

Cueball 'C' had Vicky Arundale (120, 115) setting them off on a run to beat Phoenix 6-3.

Clifton 'B' leapt into pole position in division two with a 5-4 win over previous front-runners Slip. Sandra Pallister paired with Jean Wright to seal the victory.

Britannia 'B' lead division three but had to fight for their 5-4 victory after Debbi Witts (101, 132) partnered Jackie Gray to give Leeman a 4-3 lead. Janet and Sam McShane (100, 100) levelled then Betty Pinder-Joan Harrison critically captured the decider.

Jubilee put a dent in Victoria Vaults' aspirations with a 6-3 win to go joint second with Tang Hall WMC, who were taken to the wire when Cheryl Clancey-Claire McPherson gave Mitre a 4-3 advantage. Even so, Ann Barker-Sue Dodsworth levelled and Barbara Ward-Mavis Rawcliffe saw Tang Hall home.

Woodman went to the top of division four, felling second-placed Ebor 7-2, Jan Bedford closing on 70.

Pete Leake gamed in 19 darts and Michelle Britton backed with 20 as Cue Ball commandeered Cygnet 'D' 8-1 in York John Smith's Mixed League matches.

Mark Jones provided the 'D' team reply. Beeswing brushed aside Slipper 'A' 6-3 which included 21 darts from Jim Hawksby.

Slipper 'B' sharpshooter Paul Partridge put in a fine 95 finish for 21 but saw his side struggling to match Cygnet 'A' team's pace.

Dean Smallwood included a maximum as Leeman 'B' beat Vaults 6-3.

I now sign off as Evening Press darts correspondent with a tear in my eye. I pass on my appreciation to everyone who have fed snippets of information and those, secretaries in particular, who have helped me along the way.

Fotheringham's final check-out:

The above column spells the end of an era as Dave Fotheringham checks out of the York darts scene for a new life in Spain.

He has covered darts for the Evening Press for the last 35 years and has been a major administrator for the sport in the city.

Darts reports and results will continue to be published on Tuesdays and Fridays in the Press.

The new correspondent is John Smith, who is secretary of the Phoenix Darts League. He can be contacted on 01904 341651.

Updated: 10:12 Tuesday, July 01, 2003