SHEPHERDS SC are the inaugural York Unique-Phoenix League champions.

With one fixture remaining second-placed Slipper cannot make up the ground.

Chris Platt was in magnificent 16-dart form for Bishopthorpe SC against Slipper. However, Paul Partridge and Tony Noble each hit 21-darters and Russ Turpin closed in 20 darts, as did Steve Reynolds, with 180 included, to round off an excellent Golden Slipper performance. Bishopthorpe's Arthur Conyers notched a maximum.

Lord Collingwood's Paul Kennelly hit a 106 finish for 18 darts, but went down 2-1 to Phil Knatt who was in outstanding form for Phoenix. Lee Hurst took the 4-3 win for Collingwood, which also included good scores from Keith Graham.

Tap had Darren Bailey throwing 20 and 21 darts in a 5-2 victory over Lord Nelson whose John Spence and Nick Davies did well.

Acomb SC romped to a 6-1 win over Red Lion, with Mick Harris checking bullseye. Craig Harman was Lion's point scorer.

The closing date for the winter season is Monday, September 16, and finals night is at Bishopthorpe SC on Friday, September 20 (8.30pm).

York Arms showed impressive championship-seeking form in York John Smith's Ladies League division one when beating Cygnet 'C' 7-2.

Roz Kerr put the front runners 4-2 up, then followed a clean sweep of the pairs.

Tracey Farmeary and Lindsey Sawyers each included 140,100 and Phoenix 'B' took a 4-2 lead over Clifton 'B'. Nevertheless, Sandra Fairclough-Kay Snowden set up a decider, but Farmeary partnered Jayne Janes to victory.

Dawn Exton (100,100) played a captain's role for Cygnet 'A' and Maggie Druett (140,100) supported to make the singles score three all. Even so, Tap's captain, Julie Ashton partnering Jean Elliott, made it 4-3, but Lynda Kennelly-Lynn Thompson levelled, then Exton (100,100) and Marie Caravana clinched the decider.

Dorothy Bruce hit the big scores for Half Moon, but Dringhouses collected a 6-3 win.

Glenda Mordue partnered Gill Warriner to seal a 5-4 for Slip against Phoenix 'A'.

Division two leaders Clifton 'A' beat Britannia 'B' 6-3, Clifton's landlady Jo Hodges starring, while Britannia's Alison Buckley was a double-ton scorer.

Sandra Agar (140,125) was in superb form to keep Leeman 'B' within striking distance. They beat Shepherd 'A' 6-3.

Shepherd 'B' shot into a 5-0 lead before Sheila Elliott put Severus on the scoresheet.

Julie Maycock partnered Barbara Suter to secure Clifton 'B' a 5-4 win against Jubilee.

Anne Smith included two tons, but the division three leaders Holgate went down 5-4 to Mount. Julie Brownlee-Viv Howie won the decider.

Puss 'B' returned to winning ways, and, with a chance of the championship, when going 5-0 up before Leeman 'A' team's captain, Peggy Rose, got off the mark.

Puss are now in second-place just five behind.

Anne Keswick gave Ackhorne a 4-2 advantage before colleagues Terri Corney and Fran Holmes secured a well earned victory, while June Miller-Jeanette Dowie saw Cueball to a 5-4 win against Ebor and Mary Dodsworth-Ann Reagan did the same job for Leeman 'C' against Mitre.

Applications for the winter season should be urgently forwarded to the secretary.

Updated: 12:33 Tuesday, September 10, 2002