NEWCOMERS Red Beret got a harsh welcome back to the Ridley League as champions Chelmsford City A rattled up their second 11-4 scoreline in as many matches.

Charlie Selby’s notable opening win over Harry Cove suggested bright things, but the Melbourne pub had to wait until the women’s pairs for their next darts point.

They lost an early lead in the dominoes, too, leaving them still in the dark as to how their season will go.

City B, after suffering against the champs the previous week, had some of their absentees back at Chequers A, and won by the odd game. Chequers B, minus two of last year’s line-up, took a pasting at Fryerning, where Dan Taylor had a darts maximum.

Results: Bird in Hand 4, Black Bull 11 (singles/pairs 1-6, mixed 0-1, women 1-0, dominoes 2-4); CCFC A 11, Red Beret 4 (6-1, 1-0, 0-1, 4-2); Chequers A 7, CCFC B 8 (2-5, 1-0, 0-1, 4-2); Cricketers 11, Chequers B 4 (6-1, 1-0, 0-1, 4-2); Lt Waltham SC 13, Compasses 2 (5-2, 1-0, 1-0, 6-0).