A SPARKLING 17 darts by skipper Andy King started Saddle's sound 6-3 York John Smith's Men's League victory over Cygnet 'B'.

Saddle are joint division two leaders with Swan who lived dangerously at Green Tree 'A'.

Mike Harrison put Tree 4-2 up but Swan battled back, taking all three pairs, Ged McMahon-Barry McLaughlin securing the decider.

Holgate were given a good start by 21 darts from Mick Brookes, but Blacksmith's held third place with a 7-2 result. Glyn Jeffery was a 180 scorer.

Jim Crosbie-Mick Shepherd took the winner for Slip 'A' at Groves who held the aggregate thanks to wide wins by Dave Atkin and Barry Houlden-Nick Barnard.

In division one Graham Wilkinson-Paul Bartnett clinched Rose & Crown's win at 5-2 but Sun 'A' then pounded the treble 20 to win the third point. Chris Thompson-Tony Cooper shot 701 in 23 darts.

Poacher's high-scoring encounter with Trafalgar saw a good game from Darren Hawcroft and Ray McInally-Gary Kynman pinching the decider.

Outstanding for Trafalgar was Paul Keers (21) and Ron Simpson, while Kelvyn Frankel included a maximum.

Mark Gamble's 21 darts turned the advantage Slip's way against Green Tree 'B', while a bullseye finish from Mark Jones and big scoring, which included 180 by Heath Scaife, supplied Shepherd with the ammunition to subdue Flag.

York Open League division one title contenders, Greyhound, suffered a setback when narrowly going down 5-4 to Clifton.

Dave Anderson (180) and a superb 18-darter from in-form Steve Limbert squared the match after the singles but Neil Hart-Ali Blake clinched the win in the final game.

Bay Horse 'A' increased their lead at the top, with a stunning 8-1 win over Crescent 'A'. Dave O'Hara (18) and Paul Cooper (180 and 21) spearheaded the attack while Rich Corner included 180.

Darren Bailey stood out in Tap's 6-3 at Six Bells, while a 21 darter from Bob Greenwood inspired Cygnet to an emphatic 8-1 victory against Bishopthorpe.

In division two, a 103 finish from Charlie Goldsmith and four ton-plus scores from Chris Manners, steered Mount 'A' to a close 5-4 win at Reindeer.

Ken Stockell closed on bull and Roger Pirrie hit the tons as Leeman dominated Woolpack. Good throwing from Keith Watkinson helped towards the aggregate point for Hospital Social Club, although beaten 5-4 at Ebor.

Bay Horse 'B' team's Alan Graham took their only singles point against division three leaders Huntington 'B' whose Tom Hair did well.

Paul Tallon (20) gave Burton the perfect start, however, with Simon Collins in form, Fulford Arms battled back to win 5-4.

Despite high scoring from Craig Norrie, Winning Post were sunk by Ship.

Tankard 'B' did their 'A' side no favours in the Marston Moor Villages Doubles Board League.

Alan Atkinson and Jim Young each threw tons and took the 'B' team to a 4-3 lead. However, the 'A' side struck back to win but their lead at the top is now only two points.

This because Royal Oak, Tadcaster, recorded an emphatic 8-1 win over Long Marston Sports. Andy Hill (Oak) and Paul Yore (Sports) were ton scorers, while Oak's Gary Stead chalked up his 12th win in as many games and now leads the Most Wins table.

Despite a fine 100 for 23 darts from Dave Richmond, Sun were beaten 6-3 by Ox, while a 72 finish from Dave Taylor helped Hammerton Social beat Red Lion 7-2.

Alice 'A' defeated their 'B' team 7-2 whose Sally Umpleby included a 100 score. Chris Hall and Simon Jackson recorded tons and the latter checked 80.

Nelson's John Spence went out on 63 and Mick McLeod threw a ton but Collingwood took the result 5-4. Steve Wragg included a couple of tons.

Updated: 10:11 Friday, January 17, 2003