Rayne recover to win final

4:32pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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Rayne Cock, inspired by Tony Hird's victory in the key sixth singles, shrugged off last year's heartbreak to win a see-saw Ridley League Darts Cup final against the Retreat.

The Cock, beaten by Galleywood Eagle in the 2007 final, needed their heroes against the trophy favourites.

And they had one in the first game, as David Hardy got the better of Steve Thomson over three legs.

But Simon Twin (2-1 against Kevin Hume) and Steve O'Neil (2-0 against Alan Tite) swung things the Bocking side's way.

Enter hero number two for the Cock, Wayne Goodwin's straight-legs leveller highlighted by the fourth 160 start recorded in the league this season. However, James Chapman saw off Darren Thomas two straight, to leave the Retreat on the brink of victory.

It was time for strong nerves and Hird delivered the goods in a three-leg battle against the dangerous Andy Camp.

So it went to the wire - and Matt Atkinson put himself in good heart for his men's singles final date next month by edging out Peter Webb 2-1 in another three-legger.

DARTS CUP - Final: Retreat 3, Cock 4.

Play-off plans were announced at this week's Captains', Secretaries' and Licensees' event.

The darts and dominoes matches are on Tuesday (May 20), with the following Tuesday provisionally booked for the mixed and women's games, which depend on the outcome of the final North Section clash at the Cock.

FIXTURES (May 20) - North: Cock v Black Lion. Darts Lge Play-off: CCFC B v Retreat. Dominoes League Play-off: Black Bull v Chequers.