A brilliant 156 pairs finish from Neil Hart won the match and consolidated Clifton 'A' team's position at the top of York Atlas Auto Services League division one.

Hart earlier won his singles in 19 darts, while Tap's best came from Mick Nixon (18).

A 17-darter from Tony Raymond, followed by a pairs 180, failed to save Bishopthorpe from going down 6-3 to Volunteer whose Darren Gray was outstanding. A good 20-darter from John Clemit gave Cygnet the edge over Clifton 'B'.

Division two leaders Crescent 'A' had Mick Powell-Jamie Radford as their match winners at Leeman.

Fulford Arms recovered from 4-0 adrift but Clifton 'C' took the match with the Dennis Smith-Steve Scott combination. Good scores from Fulford's Simon Collins and Dave Stubbs held the aggregate.

Burton 'A' took the first two but Six Bells rallied and coined the remainder which included a maximum from Baz Sherratt.

Pete Smithson partnered Claire Tatterton to take the match for Howden Arms at Woolpack and good scores from Steve Burton wrapped up the aggregate point. Phil Paylor found the tons as Reindeer beat Crescent 'B' 6-3.

In division three Puss purred to an emphatic 9-0 win at Acomb. A 101 finish for 21 darts from Chris Manners was well backed by a 114 finish for 21 from Charlie Goldsmith before Trevor Simpson also added a 21-darter.

Despite a 115 bull out-shot from Steve Reynolds, Skelton had few answers to a strong Hospital Club who, to remain top of the pile, ran out 6-3 winners.

Indoor Bowls took all the pairs to win at Yearsley and Dave Ingleby scored well to secure the extra point. Paul Horner notched a maximum for Alice Hawthorn who lost 7-2 to Burton 'B', while Bay Horse 'B' moved into second spot with a 6-3 win at Mount.

Tremendous games of 16 and 13 darts, including 180, from Tony Raymond, inspired Bishopthorpe SC to a superb York Phoenix League win. Cygnet's Keith Graham squared the scores but Jim Kelly played well to take the crucial last game win for Bishopthorpe.

Slipper have set the early pace and took the first six against Tap. Paul Partridge hit a maximum, while Darren Bailey was Tap's only success.

Second-placed Shepherd took all the singles against Acomb whose Mick Ward lost 2-1 but had a 120 finish. A 17-darter from Mick Willsden was brilliantly backed by Chas Ramsden who closed on 110 for 15 then followed up with a 17-darter. Mark Jones (19) crowned a fine performance for Shepherd.

Against Lord Nelson Sean Robinson made an exit on 124 by way of bull for 18 darts for Phoenix who went on to take a 5-2 victory. Nelson's Jeff Twort did well and Nigel Kirkham threw 180.

Red Lion (Poppleton) recorded their first win of the season by beating Crown 5-2.

Updated: 12:03 Friday, April 26, 2002