’TIS the season to be jolly, and they have had a whale of a time at Great Leighs this Christmas, with the Dog & Partridge three points clear atop the Ridley League.

Mick Cain (180 and five other three-figure scores) and Robbie Turner (180 and four more ton-pluses) led the high scorers against Compasses, though Cain lost his singles to Grant Gregory as the visitors came within a point of an upset.

That result was still enough to increase their lead over Chelmsford City A, losers to a resurgent Cricketers, who showed no fear of the reigning champs, even after going 3-0 down in the singles. Del Kochan had a 180, two 120 in-shots and 12 other ton-pluses in a good night’s work.

City B maintained their improved form, winning 10-5 at neighbours Red Beret. Both teams were short of key players, but there were a few significant performances, with Des Vickers (City) ending Charlie Selby’s unbeaten singles run.

The Chequers B v Little Waltham dust-up produced some sharp finishing: 158 by Chequers’ Wayne Goodwin, 143 by Tony Bamsey and Waltham clubmate Jenny Kochan. Bird in Hand were steamrollered 14-1 by Chequers A. Tim Hook won their only leg as the visitors dominated the main darts (Richard Ward 180).

The dominoes was a similar story, with the Bird’s sole success coming through Hazel and Margaret Rolfe in the women’s match.

Results: Bird in Hand 1, Chequers A 14 (singles/pairs 0-7, mixed 0-1, women 1-0, dominoes 0-6); CCFC A 6, Cricketers 9 (4-3, 0-1, 0-1, 2-4); Chequers B 6, Lt Waltham SC 9 (4-3, 0-1, 0-1, 2-4); Dog & Partridge 8, Compasses 7 (5-2, 1-0, 0-1,2-4); Red Beret 5, CCFC B 10 (0-7, 0-1, 1-0, 4-2).