RIDLEY LEAGUE fixtures secretary John Steele hit out in disgust this week after a no-show by North Section clubs turned another individual competition into near-farce.

Six weeks ago, only one pair from the Braintree/Dunmow area contested the men’s event at Chelmsford City FC. This time, Steele was furious as four women fought out the North Section singles qualifier at Dunmow’s Flitch Snooker Club.

“It’s a waste of my time and an insult to the other players,” he said. “I’ve tried to spread these competitions around – but what’s the point, when clubs don’t support their own event? There wasn’t even a Flitch player there.”

CCFC’s Rose Mallord saw off the challenge of Mel Parradine and Shirley Clark (Chequers) to earn a ticket to her second final, having already qualified in the mixed with Allan Sheldrake.