THE big derby go-slow scuttled hopes of a clean finish to last week’s Ridley League dominoes pairs play-offs.

Red Beret’s Bobby Senogles and Mick Austen took a marathon two-and-a-half, one of the longest matches in the league’s history, to see off local rivals Jon English and Les Parker (City FC A), the 2014 finalists.

The first round began at 7pm to avoid the risk of a snarl-up, but by the time the Beret got through two games, there was not time for the semi-final.

So they and Little Waltham SC (Mick Rogers and Nev Raymond) will need a fresh start to decide who’ll face Dog & Partridge’s Dave Suckling and Colin Smith for the trophy. The Great Leighs pair pegged out two decent results, beating 2010 winners Alan and Gail Tite (Chequers B) before eliminating John Steele and May McGowan (Black Bull) in the semis.

Dominoes pairs (Cricketers), 1st Rd: G Gregory & P Jackson (Compasses) bt P Evans & M Wiley (Cricketers) 2-1; R Senogles & M Austen (Red Beret) bt J English & L Parker (CCFC A) 2-1; M Rogers & N Raymond (Lt Waltham SC) bt D & S Laudrum (Chequers A) 2-0. 2nd Rd: Senogles & Austen bt Gregory & Jackson, no score; Rogers & Raymond bt A Readman & R Lowe (Bird in Hand) 2-0; J Steele & M McGowan (Black Bull) bt P Ewers & S Richardson (CCFC B) 2-0; D Suckling & C Smith (Dog & Partridge) bt A & G Tite (Chequers B) 2-1. Semi-final: Suckling & Smith bt Steele & McGowan 2-0.