BLACKSMITHS Arms forged their way to the York John Smith's Men's League division two title.

Captain Dan Tait, aptly took the championship clincher at Institute 'B' in the final fixture of the season.

Rivals Saddle won 6-3 but Swan scavenged the aggregate with good games from Ged McMahon and Graham Quinn.

Pete Ross threw a fine 125 finish and Groves took the aggregate against Institute 'A', whose Gary Pinkney-Ken Moment clinched the decider after Pete Watson-Tony Robinson had drawn level.

Five games on the trot completed by David Broadhead-Mal Fordham gave Cygnet 'B' a close victory over Old Ebor.

Cygnet 'A' struck with Jack White (17), Mark Hartley (18) and John Mooring (180 and 120) to register a 6-3 victory at Dringhouses whose Mick Coupland checked 160 and Barry Noble banged 180.

Chris Thompson shot 17 darts and Mick Reagan-Ian Cryle made it 5-4 to Sun 'A' at Green Tree 'B' who had a 93 in two check from Steve Snowdon and a 106 out-shot by Dave Fotheringham.

Flag's Mark Lea and Steve Foster took the decider to beat Osbaldwick. Poacher's Ray McInally gamed in 19 then included a crucial 180, with Trevor Day, when snatching the decider against Rose and Crown.

Mark Jones included a maximum score but failed to prevent Trafalgar making it 5-0. But Heath Scaife stopped the Shepherd slide with an excellent 18 darts. Trafalgar with Kelvyn Frankel, Rich Plummer and Ron Simpson on form, won 6-3.

An exciting semi-finals line up is on the menu for York John Smith's Mixed League's main competition, the mixed pairs.

Kevin Walton included four tons, three 140s and Dawn Exton three tons, 121, 140 to eliminate Ray Cockerill-Caroline Walker then Pete Leake-Liza Moore while Cygnet colleagues Dave Gibbons (six tons)-Lyn Thompson, collected 2-0 wins over Colin Rowntree-Dianne Moreland then Derek-Jean Smallwood.

However the Smallwood siblings, Dean and Toni, did their parents proud by qualifying with style. Consistent play put out Paul Partridge-Aline Turpin then Neil-Chris Hayward but they had to show their mettle to beat Barry-Chrissy Noble.

The soon-to-be England international Barry Noble threw three 140, two tons and a couple of maximums. Nevertheless the Leeman dynamos responded to win 2-1, Toni Smallwood tossing two ton, 140 then a 107 finish to take the decider in 24 darts.

After disposing of Neil Fairclough-Karen Richardson, Rich Plummer (three tons)-Tracey Farmeary (100, 121, 139, 140) outshot Michelle Britton-Gary Richardson 2-1 with a fine 24-dart leg and progressed by beating Jim Hawksby-Sue Smith 2-0, Farmeary including a 180 score.

Having completed their fixtures Fulfordgate have set the target for other White Rose Ladies League division one championship hopefuls.

A 6-1 win over Sun put the current title holders six points ahead of New York who went 4-1 down to Clarence but pulled back vital points with Rose then Gillian Grimes.

Coach and Horses ended Lord Collingwood's charge with a 5-2 in which Jill Chapman gave the top performance.

At the top of division two, Six Bells shade Crescent who lost 4-3 to bottom placed Deramore, while Lord Nelson had only Dawn Platt-Katie Reynolds responding at Golden Slipper whose Pat Drake rounded off the score with a splendid 21 darts.

Judith Stark took the winner for Tap against Acomb Sports and Pat Jones similarly sent Winning Post to victory at Earswick.

With Alice Hawthorn home and dry in division three the battle is on for the runners-up spot.

King William edged Bay Horse Tadcaster 4-3, Pat Dickinson then Iris Haigh sneaking the last two, while Bowling Club drew level with William by registering a 6-1 victory after Palace set off by taking the team game. Peggy McBride and Audrey Rivoira played well.

Julie Laing closed Tankard's 5-2 win at Bay Horse, Murton, with a good game which included 130, 108 scores, while Pat Robertson took the 4-3 winner for Tramways against Red Lion.

Updated: 11:29 Friday, March 07, 2003