FIRST-TIMERS Mick Rogers (Lt Waltham SC) and Richard Dow (Dog & Partridge) reached the Ridley League dominoes singles final in a tense qualifying night.

Both were taken to a decider in the semi-finals, with Dow eliminating 2013 runner-up Les Parker (Globe) to offer the Great Leighs pub, better known for its darts strength, an unexpected chance of non-oche glory.

Rogers was involved in two three-leg games, his second-round struggle against reigning champion John Steele spiking the Black Bull man’s hopes of a hat-trick – and of emulating Terry Crisp (2004-6 and 2009) as a four-times winner.

The Waltham ace then repeated the feat against Bird in Hand captain Hazel Rolfe, denying the league’s basement club their chance of a hard-earned trophy.

  • DOMINOES SINGLES (Black Bull) – 1st Rd: L Parker (Globe) bt S Kochan (Cricketers) 2-0; A Mixture (Chequers B) bt S Richardson (Chelmsford City FC) 2-1. 2nd Rd: Parker bt Mixture, no score; R Dow (Dog & Partridge) bt D Jackson (Compasses) 2-0; H Rolfe (Bird in Hand) bt B Allington (Chequers A) 2-0; M Rogers (Lt Waltham SC) bt J Steele (Black Bull) 2-1. Semi-finals: Dow bt Parker 2-1; Rogers bt Rolfe 2-1.