MICK Nixon was outstanding in the York Atlas Auto Services League competition finals, where he retained the division one individual crown, writes Dave Fotheringham.

Mitre's John Pickering put the cat among the pigeons when opening with a brilliant 180 for 13 darts. But Nixon stepped in with 20 when Pickering narrowly failed to close 81 finish, and then the holder sealed triumph with a splendid 17 darter.

Nixon's contribution to Tap and Spile's triples competition win over Bay Horse, Fulford, was immense. Tap trotted to a 4-0 lead as Darren Bailey and John Smith each had good games on to which Nixon added 16 then 18 darts.

Bay, the division one champs, were seemingly out of it. But Allan Galley won twice, one a superb 17 darts, reinforced by Paul Cooper then Rich Corner, to level at 4-4. Enter Nixon for the decider. Against Paul Cooper he shot a fine 21-darter.

In a repeat of last season's mixed pairs final, Nixon partnered Michelle Britton to a 2-1 victory over their Tap colleagues, John and Wendy Smith.

Some 22 tons-plus scores graced the men's pairs final, where Clifton's Martyn Turner-Martin Waddington edged a 2-1 win over Bay Horse's Cooper-Galley.

Turner took the decider with a tremendous 102 check for a 21 dart 701 after Galley had drawn level with a 99 check for 21.

Cooper had more luck in the drawn pairs event. He and Slipper's Steve Reynolds took the title with a 2-0 score over Mark Taylor (Tap) and Dave O'Hara (Bay Horse).

Acomb Cricket Club's Mike Harris produced a fine 21 darts to clinch the division two individual over Geoff Kitson of Howden Arms, Tadcaster, while Dean Saxton (Yearsley) took the division three-four title by beating Huntington 'B' team's Joe Bedford 2-1.

Shepherd 'A' started the York John Smith's Men's League summer season in fine style. An 8-1 win at Osbaldwick included 16 darts from Kev Walton and a tremendous 158 out shot for 18 by Mick Willsden.

Twenty darts by Paul Keers steered Trafalgar to victory at Holgate while Mick Coupland partnered Ken Robinson to get Dringhouses the decider against Swan.

A promising 7-2 led by Andy Turpin saw Bootham Tavern to victory at Lighthorseman while 19 darts from Chris Thompson spearheaded Sun to a win at Green Tree 'B'.

Cygnet 'A' had a fine 20 darts from John Mooring and Keith Turner-Dave Mason won the aggregate on the last game. However, Poacher ran out 6-3 victors, Trevor Day gaming in 20 and Gary Hannigan making his exit on bullseye.

Saddle's division two campaign began with a ninth game win by Andy King-Kevin Graham over Groves WMC.

Derrick Elliott included a 180 score as Cygnet 'B' beat Institute 'B', while Kevin Pallister brilliantly set Green Tree 'A' off to victory at Sun 'B' with a fabulous 14-darter.

Paul Whitehead-Ted Bone put Vaults level with Institute 'A' and Phil Smith-Keith Mercer grabbed the decider.

Competition entries must be forwarded by next Friday.

Updated: 11:36 Friday, March 22, 2002