THE fight for the vital fourth and final play-off place in the Pickering Recreation Club Individual League is now a two-man race.

Steve Taylor cost himself any chance of an appearance on finals night after he slipped up in a lame performance during Friday night's fixtures - losing 3-2 to John Bristow - leaving Billy Hague and Geoff Atkinson to battle for the last play-off spot.

Bristow played well, hitting seven 100-plus scores, as he ended Taylor's hopes.

Hague, though, beat Bristow 3-2, his victory including a 17-dart leg, while Atkinson crucially beat bottom-placed Roger Dawson 3-2 before going down 3-2 to the in-form Simmy Cass.

Jon Rule was on good form, too, beating Roger Dawson 5-0.

Again, though, it was Cass who showed the highest class.

He beat Rich Webster 4-1 with 10 100-plus scores including legs of 14 and 17 darts, and Phil Bointon 3-2 in a classy match where the two shared 17 100-plus scores, two 180s and legs of 19, 19, 19, 20 and 18 darts.

Cass now shares top spot in the table with Bointon with one match in hand heading towards the play-offs.

This Friday sees the final rounds of regular season fixtures, with play-off and relegation matters to be decided.

There is a new leader in the 'B' league as Liam Dawson took full advantage of playing an extra match than previous leader Steve Dawson.

The former beat Johnny Smith 5-0 and Ryan Taylor 4-1 to leapfrog his namesake, who beat Tony Craig 4-1.

Dave Twaddle had a good night, beating Ryan Taylor 5-0 and Craig 4-1. John Bointon also picked up two wins, beating Adam Simpson 4-1 and Arthur Gibson 3-2.