BARRY Noble recorded a superb 16 darts in York John Smith's Men's League division one - but it proved in vain.

Backed by good wins from Alan Shipley and Derek Bell, Dringhouses raced to a 4-1 lead, Mick Reagan (20) replying. Nevertheless, Sun 'A' came back strongly with Chris Thompson (19) and Thompson-Tony Cooper took the decider.

John Mooring (18) and matchwinners David Mason-Paul Mizon starred for Cygnet 'A' as they beat Poacher 5-4. But big wins from 15-dart Ray McInally and McInally-Gary Kynman were good enough to capture the extra point.

Graham Wilkinson (17) and Mark Addinall (158 finish) were the only Rose and Crown winners as they were swamped by Shepherd. Mick Willsden showed his class with a maximum in 16 darts.

Bob Lee, Ron Simpson and Colin Rowntree were the pick of the Bay Horse, Marygate, side as they beat Saddle, who had Phil Knatt and John Page giving good replies, 7-2.

Glenn Waterworth threw a two-dart 94 finish and high-scoring Andy Turpin helped steer Blacksmith's to a 5-4 result over Cue Ball. In reply, Dave Endeacott and Stewart Scott gave solid performances.

Mick Brookes, Gary Stewart and Steve Lea-Pete West guided Holgate to a 5-4 victory over Green Tree 'B'. However, good wins from Dave Fotheringham and Mike Harrison helped snaffle the aggregate.

Following a fine Ged McMahon effort, division two's runaway leaders, Swan, were given a scare as Cygnet 'B' went 4-2 up, a start which included robust games from Ian then Derek Hartley and Derek Elliott.

Despite this, Swan excitingly collected all the pairs, Barry McLaughlin-Tony Martin notching the decider.

Craig Wedge, Chris Flanigan and James Carter-Pete Cooper steered Osbaldwick to a 5-4 scoreline over Groves, whose Barry Houlden, Chris Richmond and Pete Ross resolutely replied.

Green Tree 'A' mastered the singles with stout performances by Kev Pallister, Dave MacDonald and Steve Gray, but they had to wait until the last game to get the aggregate against Old Ebor by just nine. MacDonald-John Holtby clawed it back after a wide margin win from Old Ebor's Steve Loftus-Dave Cussins.

Slip 'A' held their nerve to beat Slip 'B' 5-4 against the odds, with splendid wins from Pete Ella, Rob Robinson and matchwinners Ella-Alan Ashby.

The 'B' side's Ted Bone and Keith Dodd contributed to the aggregate point.

Neil Conway-John Weldon got on the sheet for Sun 'B' as Institute 'A' romped to an 8-1 victory after convincing shows from Rich Hardy, Tom Turley and Gary Pinkney had set the pace.

Updated: 10:13 Friday, June 27, 2003