Broomfield King’s Arms, long-term favourites to retain the Ridley League title, had even second place pinched while on the winning line.

A 12-3 last-match success made Felsted Chequers runners-up by just ONE point – the same margin by which the King’s Arms took the crown last year.

The champs suffered at Margaretting as Olly Nye and Peter Wiffen put the Black Bull two up. With Mick Cain (180 and 171) to the fore, the visitors’ big guns turned the match round, but Maryann Kenna and May McGowan hit them with a darts/dominoes double, and Peter Livings and Tom Kerr earned the Bull two crucial points in the final dommies.

Chequers A’s victory over Chelmsford City A (dominoes apart) was no rout. Four of their darts wins were three-leg affairs, including an impressive women’s title clincher by Lisa and Charly Hutchinson. Home skipper Steve Hills had a hand in four wins, but City’s inexperienced youngsters showed promise.

So it’s City A’s league title; or it will be, when confirmation of their result against Chequers B arrives. It was one of two no-shows.

The only other result to hand brought good news for both sides. Bird in Hand won three match sections against Little Waltham, who are at least assured of the dominoes league title.