THREE points finally separated Rayne Cock and Dunmow Cricketers after their season-long battle for top spot in the Ridley League s North Section. It all came down to the final fixture, with the Cock s nine-point haul against local rivals the Retreat putti

THREE points finally separated Rayne Cock and Dunmow Cricketers after their season-long battle for top spot in the Ridley League's North Section.

It all came down to the final fixture, with the Cock's nine-point haul against local rivals the Retreat putting them tantalisingly out of reach of the long-time leaders, who were held to

8-7 by Flitch Snooker.

The Rayne dartsmen took the first four singles, Matt Atkinson celebrating a great win against Simon Twin after both hit 180. The Cock added the mixed and women's games, leaving the Bocking side only the dominoes points.

Lucy Ward-Geddes did her bit for the Cricketers with wins in the mixed, women's (unpartnered) and dominoes against Flitch Snooker; defeat in the dommies, however, meant her side couldn't close the gap on the leaders.

The Chequers made a heroic bid to get into the 'medal positions', but were foiled as the Three Horseshoes fought back from a singles rout to take five points from the Felsted derby. Glen Wright (singles and mixed) had a hand in the only three legs won by Bardfield Vine's darters against a rampant Black Lion. The Vine, however, ruled supreme in the dominoes.

More dommies defiance down South, as Hatfield Peverel Swan's skeleton crew conceded two singles and both pairs to the Black Bull - but hit back with a stunning 6-0 dominoes win which puts their opponents' play-off plans on ice.