Reigning division one York Phoenix Open League champions Bay Horse 'A' have lost their unbeaten record to Mitre.

An excellent 18 darts from John Pickering gave Mitre the edge but Allan Galley levelled with 21 then partnered Jason Powney to put Bay needing one for victory.

Even so Mitre took the eighth and Pickering's Russ Armstrong made it 5-4.

Cygnet had bullseye finishes from Paul Lane then John Miller but went down 5-4 at Pack, whose best was Kevin Upton.

Mount 'A' registered a fine 137 out-shot from Mike Kearney but Volunteer were given the 5-4 victory by Darren Gray-Dean Saxton, while 21 darts from Mick Harris and a slick 93 finish from Andy Cass was included in Howden's 8-1 win at Woodman, whose sole success was provided by Jim Kelly-Shaun Clappison.

Roger Short was Clifton's only point taker against Phoenix, who had a two-dart ton finish from John Smith.

Three Cranes suffered their first division two defeat to Yearsley's Ian Curry-Tracey Merrills, while Les Scaife and Roger Pirrie performed well as Leeman slammed Ebor within the singles, only Mike Holdsworth replying.

Leeman now head the table as Huntington, despite an inspiring 18 darts from Tony Brown and a big aggregate contribution by Dave Ware, went down 5-4 in a shock to Crescent 'A', who had previously not won in this campaign.

Vic Reed tried to raise Woolpack's spirit but Hospital Social Club secured victory with Simon Johnson-Keith Watkinson, while Pip-Tom Hair gave Huntington 'B' the decider against Clarence.

Mount 'B' had only Barry Sellers to count at Jackdaw, who top division three, while Bishopthorpe pipped Bay Horse 'B' 5-4.

Paul Keers recorded an excellent 180 for 14 darts in York John Smith's Men's League division one.

Well supported by Kelvyn Frankel and Ken Wallace (180)-Mick Lee, Bay Horse went top of the table with a 6-3 win over Cue Ball, who had Dave Endecott (180) and Steve Thompson in good form.

Cygnet 'A' saw John Mooring shoot a splendid 16 darts and later partner Dave Gibbons to take the 5-4 decider over a strong Sun 'A' side, whose Rod and Chris Thompson each recorded 20 darts.

Shepherds, with good efforts by Kev Walton (180 for 17), Mick Willsden (18) and Chas Ramsden raced to a 4-2 lead. However, Poacher struck back with three determined pairs wins, Gary Kynman-Ray McInally (180) taking the match.

Andy King opened for Saddle with a superb 136 finish but Dringhouses fought back with John Crowe (bull finish for 21), Peter Langan (21) and Mick Coupland to win 6-3.

Jamie Byworth (135 finish for 21), Mark Addinall (104 finish) and Paul Bartnett steered Rose and Crown to a 6-3 victory over Green Tree 'B', who had Rich Beddows playing well.

Blacksmith's Andy Turpin, Glenn Waterworth and Lee Mason strode to suppress Holgate's attack but Gary Stewart and Pete West held firm. The match went to four apiece and was sealed by Mason-Dan Tait.

A fine 20 darts from Barry McLaughin helped keep Swan flying high in division two with a 7-2 win at Slip 'B', who had Mark Gamble playing well, while second-placed Osbaldwick enjoyed a comfortable 9-0 victory over Institute 'B'. Craig Wedge, Nick Scott and Chris Flanagan produced the goods.

Cygnet 'B' kept pressure on the top two with a crushing 8-1 victory at Sun 'B', big wins coming from Keith Graham and Ian-Derek Hartley.

Dave Dobson (20) and Keith Allan played well in Flag's 7-2 win at Green Tree 'A', whose John Holtby was best in reply.

Good performances by Old Ebor's Adrian Shaw, Mick Clark and an aggregate-taking win from Gary Witty-Shaw spelt defeat for Institute 'A', for whom Tom Turley and Chris Ruddock shone, while Slip 'A' had Kevin Richmond, Mick Shepherd and Pete Ella starring in a 6-3 win at Groves.

Updated: 08:50 Friday, June 06, 2003