CITY Arms secured the York John Smith's Ladies League division one championship with a hard fought 6-3 win against Dringhouses Sports.

City went into the pairs with a 4-2 lead but Shelly Moran and Susie Hughes pulled one back for the sports club before Sue Smith produced some tremendous darts hitting three consecutive tons in the pairs with Pat Bowness, who checked on double 19 for 24 darts.

Second-placed Brigadier were given a scare by Punch. Sarah Jackson and Jane Dobson put Punch 2-0 up before Joan Woods (100,100) pulled one back. Louise Hart restored the lead but Sue Lowery and Ros Kerr made it 3-3. Kerr and Sandra Smith then edged Brigadier in front and Woods partnered Elaine Hall secured the 5-4 win.

Wendy Shortle closed on bull and Sandra Bruce played well prior to partnering Karen Alton in the decider as Ox beat Slipper 5-4. Dawn Exton hit the tons for Cygnet but a good overall team performance by Vaults secured a 6-3 victory.

Clifton had their match with Layerthorpe sewn up before the pairs. Julie Ashton was Layerthorpe's lone point scorer.

Slip Inn are division two champions despite being beaten 5-4 by Mitre, whose Donna Watson and Cherelle Jarvis settled the win.

The battle for second place is wide open after Half Moon lost against Britannia 'B'. Dot Trousdale with Maureen Ferguson saved the whitewash. Half Moon are one point ahead of Mitre who are one point in front of Britannia 'B'.

Maggie Beddingham hit a maximum in a pairs game with John Shaw which gave Shepherd a 4-3 lead at Jubilee, Maureen Cahill and Donna Black levelled but Eileen Haw with Brenda Hodgson won the Shepherd decider.

Liz Powell shot 24 darts for Cygnet to bring the scores to 3-3 but Poacher showed their strength in the pairs, Cath Sturdy and Sallie Spellman securing victory. Leeman found Severus too hot to handle. Only Jackie Willoughby saved them from a whitewash.

Jackie Ridall and Cath Barker were on form as Burton WMC secured a 6-3 win against Britannia 'A'.

The battle for division three is wide open after leaders Clifton lost 6-3 to Frog whose Betty Tate hit the tons. Shepherd are holding onto second place with more wins but the same points as Holgate.

Shepherd had Pauline Dale scoring high but were let down by their finishing as Puss 'n' Boots, well led by Jeanne Hall recorded a 6-3 win.

Chrissy Winspear with Lin Gould won the decider for Holgate after colleagues Carol Price and Max Smith had levelled against Leeman 'C'. Leeman 'B' are in contention as are Woolpack. There is only four points separating the top five teams.

Leeman 'B' were too strong for Old Ebor running out 7-2 winners while sisters, Marie Ward and Debbie Moody earned Tang Hall WMC a 5-4 win against Woolpack. Shelagh Kenny won the opener for Queen but Cue Ball hit back and won the next five.

Updated: 11:52 Tuesday, August 21, 2001