GRIFFIN emerged victorious from a ding-dong relegation battle with Sunbeam in Earlestown Darts League Division One.

Lee Wood kick started Griffin's return to form with a good 21-dart win against Ste Hearn.

Les McClymont pulled a game back for Sunbeam at the expense of Mike Tickle. He won in 22 darts before Griffin clicked into top gear.

Norman Dackcombe beat Adie Jerzierski with a clinical 26-darter, Ged Hulme defeated Ian Sudworth in 35 darts and skipper Dennis Morse overcame Mike Lloyd in a marathon encounter.

Sunbeam captain Phil Ashbrook kept his team's hopes alive with a 24-dart win against Stuart Garton.

But Sunbeam's joy was short lived as Noel Bevan took out Al Lawrenson to secure a deserved victory for Griffin.

Alan Dixon then recorded a consolation win for Sunbeam. He defeated Chris Brain with a stunning 19-darter before Frank Wood rubbed salt in Sunbeam's wounds by beating Dave Storey in 29 darts.

Newton Social Club maintained their one point advantage at the top of the table with a 6-3 victory over Bridge Inn.

They stormed into a 4-0 lead through tremendous throwing by Neil Mather, who beat Les Anders in 22 darts, Barry Smith, who took out Al Furay in 20 darts, Peter Prescott, who fired in a 24-darter against Tony Mawdsley, and Peter Brown, who saw off the challenge of Paul Bradshaw in 21 darts.

There was then a mini revival from Bridge as Doug Smith and Ste A. Jones walloped their respective opponents Phil Arnold and Neil Crehan in 20 darts.

But their efforts proved to be in vain as Paul Harrison sealed the points for Newton with a 14-dart special against Chris Snelson.

In the penultimate game, the crowd were treated to another spectacular game as Bridge ace Chris Farrell tonked Ste W. Jones in 14 darts.

Newton's George Jones took the honours in the final leg with a 21-darter against the highly rated Ste Hodson.

BRSA B stayed hot on Newton's heels with a 6-3 win against St. Pats.

The B team's winners were Dave Pojunas, 17 darts, Will Jones, 14, Jimmy Carrey, 15, Les Wilkie, skipper Ken Woods, 19 and Gary Mather.

Carl Jones, 15, Kevin Burnett, 26 and captain George Griffiths, who inflicted the first defeat of the season on Ste Morse with a 27-darter, triumphed for St. Pats.

The championship race will no doubt go right down to the wire. February 24 may well be the title decider when BRSA B entertain Newton.

Vulcan Inn took Swan to the cleaners, winning 6-3.

Their men on form were Dave Henry, 27, Dave Panter, 38, John Jones, 14, Wayne Thistlethwaite, Archie Lilley, 19 and Norman Taylor, 39.

Ste Brannigan, 27, Mick Cane, 31 and Gary Jones, 20, performed well for Swan.

Blue Bell beat Earlestown Cons 6-3 with wins from Dave Gilchrist, John Thompson, Will Puzzar, Eric Puzzar, Denis Bruen and Ian Makinson.

The aces in the pack for Cons Club were John Smith, Ste Taylor and captain George Donner.