NEXT week's Ridley League finals are under threat after two players went down with dartitis.

The condition leaves players incapable of releasing a dart and has struck finalists Darren Kochan and George Cove.

Cove (Chelmsford City FC A) is in the men’s pairs final with brother Harry and Kochan (Little Waltham SC), contests the Secretaries’ Cup final

And both Cove and Kochan are vital members of their clubs’ Guinness Fours trophy line-ups.

“It’s a difficult situation," said event organiser John Steele. "I’ll see how things pan out on the night.

"It’s distressing for both lads. They may fear embarrassing themselves, but if they don't play, they forfeit the trophy.

“The rule says a player who defaults on a final will be fined – but you can’t fine someone over a medical condition.”

The condition has affected hundreds of players in the 30 years since former world champion Eric Bristow became its most famous victim.

City A completed the “first leg” of their cup double bid, carrying off the Darts Cup against a Dog & Partridge side who badly missed Mick Cain.

The showdown of the league’s top two went to the wire, but City, who aim to add the Dominoes Cup this week, were good value.

There were 180s by Barry Devenish and Rob Tinsley (City) and George Wood (Dog). City’s Simon Whalley took out two sharp finishes, of 141 and 110.

Results, Darts Cup, final (Dog & Partridge first): I Quartermaine bt R Tinsley 2-1, P Cain lost to M Compton 0-2, D Kelly lost to S Whalley 1-2, R Turner bt H Cove 2-0, G Wood lost to B Devenish 0-2, Quartermaine & Turner bt Devenish & Whalley 2-1, Wood & Kelly lost to Compton & Tinsley 0-2.