WITH the mid-season break from league matches looming, the challengers for Ridley League honours in both sections look pretty clear.

Felsted Chequers, without a match last week, are still top of the North table after Flitch Snooker’s dog-eat-dog battle with the Retreat, who beat them 8-7 for the second time this season.

The Retreat are five points behind the leaders, who have a fixture in hand.

Chelmsford City FC are close behind after beating the Black Lion 10-5 again.

The Lion suffered a dominoes whitewash, but had the edge in a marathon darts slog.

Special mention for CCFC’s Natalie Potts, injured in a weekend car crash, who played a winning part in the women’s game – throwing “wrong-handed”.

The South Section is bubbling up into a two-way tussle between Margaretting Black Bull and Little Waltham SC.

The Bull swept aside the Bird in Hand, Les Atkins hitting a 148 start and a 180, and Carol Hughes a 100 finish. Paul Jackson, with a superb 160 away, was the home side’s only darts winner.

Mill Green Cricketers couldn’t repeat their early-season form against Little Waltham. Gary Newman hit a 144 start, a 121 and three other tons, and Dave Marsh checked out from 158 in a rare appearance. Waltham came out on top in all but the mixed and women’s games.

The Swan took time to get the measure of the New Barn, who shared the first four singles. It was all one way after that however – bar the usual mixed and women’s walkovers. How much longer before the Swan attract a couple of lady players?