BURTON WMC left Clarence WMC battered and bruised following a 7-0 beating in the latest round of York White Rose Ladies League encounters.

Burton's Jane Barnes included two tons in a fine 23 darts.

Division one leaders Fulfordgate moved into a 3-1 lead against close rivals Crescent thanks to a fine 22 darts from Beryl Glover. Lesley Benson took the next, but only prolonged the inevitable, as Dawn Smith and Karen Reasbeck secured a 5-2 victory.

Fulfordgate's score squarely applied the pressure on reigning champions Sun Inn. Sue Scrimshaw's fine 23 darts on the back of wins from Heather Beadnell and Carol Raftree, sealed Sun's 5-2 win over Post, whose skipper Ann Robinson showed she wasn't the weakest link by going one better with a good 22 darts.

Maureen Tindall hit 23 darts to put Institute ahead 3-1. But then New York's skipper, Rose Grimes, recorded a 22 darter to inspire wins from Emma Foottit and Marion Greenwood to clinch a marvellous 4-3 victory and derail Institute's title tilt.

In division two, Coach and Fulford Conservatives clashed in a thriller. Coach were yet again caught cold as Fulford claimed the first three but countered superbly with wins from Madge Ketteridge, Maggie Adamson then Lil Penman. In a gripping last game Michelle Harrison clinched victory for Fulford.

Title contenders Collingwood eventually won 5-2 at Murton's Bay Horse, thanks to fine performances from their middle-order of Jackie Ritchie, Eileen Carter and Kim Karadavut.

Bumper, who had a free week are still at the summit.

New teams interested in joining the winter season should contact the fixtures secretary on 01904 656361.

Clifton cantered to the York John Smith's Ladies League division three title with an emphatic 9-0 drubbing of hosts Old Ebor.

Clifton's captain Linda Embleton, an inspiration throughout the season, led with big scoring.

Shepherd secured the runners-up spot when their captain Ann Wood levelled at 3-3 and they took the three pairs against Queen.

Leeman 'B' had Clare Wright and Sandra Agar sealing the 5-4 win against Holgate, whose Carol Price and Anne Smith won in 23 darts, to end up joint third, along with Woolpack, whose Doreen England and Sybil Chilton won the decider against Cueball.

Tang Hall WMC's Debbie Moody and Marie Ward secured the win against Frog, who, after 40 years, played their last match with the pub's prospective closure.

Margaret Bell closed on 117 (T19, 20, double top) as Dringhouses beat Slipper 6-3. Sam Farrell and Sandra Bruce won the decider for Ox at Vaults whose Sue Claydon hit the big scores.

Roz Kerr gamed in 22 darts as division one runners-up Brigadier bounded into a 4-0 lead at Clifton. Joan Woods with Sandra Smith secured the points.

Babs Harrison also had a 22 for Cranes and then partnered double-ton scorer Carol Perrett to victory in the decider against Layerthorpe.

Both Sarah Jackson and Maureen Beddingham were in ton form for Punch who proved too strong for Cygnet.

Half Moon took second place in division two when Betty Jameson checked 94 in the decider with Karen Braithwaite to beat the champions Slip.

Semi-finals night is at Lawrence WMC next Tuesday.

York John Smith's Men's League competition finals are being held at Holgate WMC on Friday (7.45).

Individual champion for the past three seasons, Barry Noble, did not enter boosting the claims of previous winner Gary Wensley (Green Tree). Strong opposition will come from Ray McInally (Poacher), Paul Keers and Rich Plummer (Trafalgar).

Trafalgar are well represented in the pairs event, Keers with Kelvin Frankel and Plummer with Ron Simpson. Wensley joins with Pete Green while Mick Willsden plays alongside Chris Ramsden to give Shepherd 'A' a chance of the title.

Shepherd 'A' oppose Lighthorseman in the team championship.

Updated: 11:37 Tuesday, August 28, 2001