NEIL Fairclough recorded a superb 15 darts in York Maxiprint League division one. Nevertheless Punch Bowl lost the rearranged fixture with Escrick 5-4.

David Pilmoor (21) gave Escrick the opener but John Mooring (21) and Martin Waddington put Punch ahead. However, Maurice Bell (20) squared. Mark Blundell and Dave Bath secured the victory but good efforts from Martyn Turner and Graham Sanderson saved Punch the aggregate point.

Escrick are now in second place despite going down 5-4 to Britannia 'B'.

Dave Bath got among the tons for 19 darts. Britannia responded, John Clemit closing in 21. Clemit then combined with Steve Lane to take the decider.

Britannia 'A' still lead division one and emphatically beat Nags 7-2. An 18-darter from Chris Thompson plus a 110 finish capped a fine team performance. Best for Nags was Paul Roberts.

Pete Turnbull (21) shone for Slipper in their 6-3 defeat by Punch who had Rich Plummer and John Mooring closing 7-1 in 22 darts.

Volunteer raced to a 3-0 lead before Mitre bounced back with Neil Long (18) and big-scoring John Pickering pulling Mitre level. Pickering (180) then partnered Brian Farrell to take the 5-4 result and the aggregate point. Best for Volunteer was Darren Gray who won in 21 darts. Burton Stone beat Turpin 7-2.

In division two, Bishopthorpe's Eric Sleightholme magnificently took on a 150 out-shot. Arthur Conyers and Tony Raymond also shone for Bishopthorpe who went on to win 7-2.

Tap managed a 5-4 win at Ebor whose best players were Brent Conland and Dean Platt. Alex Render overall included five tons and the match winners were Darren Bailey and John Smith.

Ken Smith gamed in 21 darts as Pack maintained their quest for honours with a 6-3 win against Jackdaw, whose top performer was James Fitzpatrick (180).

Derek Smallwood and Kev Thompson were Leeman's match winners at Crown, while Six Bells lost 6-3 to Palace.

Crescent head division three and had Mick Powell and Steve Richardson in top form against Bay Horse, whose Jason Powley included 180.

Simon Errington was Ship's only success against Yearsley whose Gary Nicholson and Alan Stevens hit the tons. Steve Burton's 21 darter, followed by a ton check-out, was the highlight in Howden's 7-2 victory over Royal Oak.

Woolpack lost ground on the leaders but won 5-4 against Gimcrack. Dave Cormack was again on form and was well supported by Moira Atkinson.

POACHER had second place in York Exhibition Hotel Group League division one prised from their grasp when going down 6-3 to Green Tree 'A'.

Poacher's Ray McInally threw a fine 180 for an 18 dart game, which went towards the aggregate win, but Green Tree were well served by Gary Wensley, Paul Wilson and Dave Fotheringham, who included a 180 score.

Shepherd's 'A' took advantage. Rod Thompson and Mick Willsden (19) played well in a 7-2 win over Acorn. Cygnet ensured the championship title by beating Holgate for whom Mick Brookes gamed in 20 darts.

Heath Scaife shot a splendid 17 darts then partnered Keith Turner to an excellent 21 darts 701 while John Dykes was a maximum scorer.

Steve Machen (19) put Osbladwick in with a chance to upset Dringhouses, but Pete Langan and Ken Robinson put the score at 4-4 and Derek Bell and Mick Coupland inched home.

A superb 116 shot-out by Gary Strider gave Vaults a 5-4 win over their main division two rivals Slip, while Institute 'B' team had only Adrian Gray on the sheet against leaders Easrwick Bowls.

Second-placed Saddle strode to a 6-3 win over Sun 'A'.

Dave Gibbons and Kev Walton (Shepherd 'A') qualified for the pairs competition semi-final stage with a tremendous 18 dart 701.

Joining them are Gary Wensley Pete Green, Kev Pallister and Paul Wilson (Green Tree), and Heath Scafie and David Mason (Cygnet).

Updated: 11:02 Saturday, February 10, 2001