THERE S an all-North Section line-up in the Ridley League Darts Cup semi-finals after the South s last hopes were shot to pieces last week. OUT went CCFC A, trodden underfoot by Flitch Snooker A after the boost of Dick Clough s opening-game win. OUT went

THERE'S an all-North Section line-up in the Ridley League Darts Cup semi-finals after the South's last hopes were shot to pieces last week.

OUT went CCFC A, trodden underfoot by Flitch Snooker A after the boost of Dick Clough's opening-game win. OUT went the Cricketers, Tony O'Connell's 160 in-shot a rare ray of sunshine for the Mill Green club at Rayne as the Cock turned the screw. OUT went the Bird in Hand in the battle of the basement clubs.

CCFC's fate perfectly summed up the disparity between the two divisions. They have lost only one league match this season; Flitch A have only won one. But with Graham Milbank (Flitch) taking the key singles against Trevor Suckling, CCFC didn't win again until Darren Rolfe, in the final game.

The Bird had nothing to sing about as the Black Horse reeled off the first four games, through Lee Bright, Malcolm Gentry, Mick Shepherd and Steve Morris.

Though the Chelmsford side had the last word, it counted for no more than individual pride.

The Cock now need to avoid the Retreat in the semi-final draw. The trophy favourites at least had to extend themselves, conceding the first two games to Flitch Snooker B's Ray Hearn and Barry Gilbey before winning four in a row. It was as tight as you like, with only one game won in straight legs.