CRICKETERS delivered a massive statement of intent in the Ridley League title battle, battering neighbours Black Bull 13-2 to widen the gap at the top to five points.

The Fryerning side won all four match sections in the Ridley League fixture to wreck the Bull’s recent form surge.

But they cannot shake off Dog & Partridge, still with a match in hand after sharing the spoils at CCFC A. The Great Leighs outfit lost the overall verdict in the face of a dominoes whitewash, but became the first team to lower City’s darts colours.

Little Waltham are waiting for any slip by the top two. Their clash with CCFC B was well contested, six darts games going to a decider, but the in-form home side won five of them. City’s consolation was victory in the dominoes.

Defeat by the Compasses left Bird in Hand even further isolated at the bottom of the table. The home darters were overwhelmed again – just five wins out of 84 this season – but they bounced back to take two of the three dominoes games.

Results: Bird in Hand 4, Compasses 11 (singles/pairs 0-7, 0-1, 0-1, 4-2); CCFC A 8, Dog & Partridge 7 (2-5, 0-1, 0-1, 6-0); Cricketers 13, Black Bull 2 (7-0, 1-0, 1-0, 4-2); Lt Waltham SC 9, CCFC B 6 (5-2, 1-0, 1-0, 2-4). Fixtures (Mar 1): Black Bull v Compasses, CCFC A v Chequers B, Cricketers v CCFC B, Dog & Partridge v Lt Waltham SC.