VOLUNTEER Arms started the defence of their York Knavesmire Racing League division one title with an emphatic 9-0 win at Ebor.

Paul Dixon stood out with a fine 120 finish for 15. Mike Harris added a 16, while Karl Masiak did well with a 17-darter. Harris combined with Paul Botterill in a 27-dart 701 leg.

Mitre had a narrow win at Huntington WMC with Rich Corner (180-22) and Dave O'Hara (19) taking the first pairs for the win. John Quantock gamed in 18, while Phil Good and Pip Hair had 21 darters. Good-Hair also closed out a 26-dart 701 leg.

Clifton 'A' had Martyn Turner out in 18 and 21, and Mark Hartley with a 180 for 17, plus 19. Nick Harteveld added a 17-darter and John Smith hit a bull finish in two 21-darters. Mick Harris (19) and Col Gibson (106 finish for 21) were best for the visitors.

Greyhound's campaign got off to a flier with Stu Limbert hitting a brace of 15-darters and Bill Platt backing with 22 in their 8-1 result at Crescent.

The battle between the two promoted teams saw Yearsley 'A' victorious in a 7-2 scoreline against Bootham Tavern 'A'. Daz Johnson included a 180 for 15, while there was a 104 finish from Mark Fratson and a 22-darter from debutant Vinny Gothard.

Palace got their division two season off to a good start with an 8-2 win at Jackdaw, while Clifton 'B' took the first four in a 7-3 win at Groves WMC.

Reindeer had 23-darters from Bob Rochester and Phil Paylor before taking the last game win against Huntington SC and Cygnet had a 9-1 win against Woolpack, who had Dave Cormack preventing the whitewash.

Crown had their match at Burton won within the singles, then took all the pairs. Burton skipper, John Booth-Carey was their only point scorer.

In division three, a good performance from Old Ebor 'B's Mick Hunter salvaged the aggregate against Locomotive, whose Trev Simpson-John Carr secured the last game win.

A superb 18-darter from Roger Pike inspired Edward VII to a 9-1 win against Poppleton Rd WMC, while Phoenix won by the same score at Saddle. Gaz Cunningham was the Phoenix best with 22.

Michelle Britton gamed in 21 darts then finished on a two dart 100 in the York John Smiths Mixed League pairs with Trev Platt to take match points against Leeman 'A'.

Huntington's Dave O'Hara hit 180. Cygnet 'A' had Mark Hartley out in 20 then paired up with Dawn Exton to take match points at Beeswing.

Updated: 09:39 Friday, October 14, 2005