Cliff players are on climb to fifth consecutive title

BOSCOMBE Cliff took a major step towards their fifth consecutive B&D title when crushing leaders Alexandra Park 13-1 (85-60).

Alex are now only 13 points clear at the top but Boscombe Cliff have a match in hand which is against Wimborne on Sunday the side Alex play on Saturday.

Boscombe Cliff are eyeing a double since they reached the area final of the Hampshire Club Knockout with a 107-35 pounding of New Milton thanks to Nick Jones (30-4) and Chris Daniels (36-12) at Woodland Avenue and Chris Martin (29-3) away.

Graham Matthews, Gerry Davis, Mark Warren and Brian Frith (29-14) took the honours against Alex whose point came from Fred Cutler, Vernon Singleton, Pat Ravelin and Steve Chalker (17-17) who had led Michael Squires 15-5.

Wimborne's slide continued with a 12-2 (91-63) home setback against Bournemouth who were inspired by Ian Rawlinson, Gerry Potts, John Plomer and Graham Shadwell (28-9).

Richard Sweatland, David Shepherd, Phil Lawrence and Craig Shepherd (28-22) countered for the Minstermen who had two points plucked away from them on the final end when Leon Pope conceded a two to Chris Dowding (17-16).

Table-proppers Wessex showed they are far from being a spent force when pipping Poole Park 79-77 to collect 10 points.

Trevor Smyth, Dave Gibb, Keith Michael and Malcolm Peters (27-10) put Wessex on the right track though their winning margin was matched by Poole's Maurice Foord, Clive Fawkes, Peter Wilson and Bob Atkins (30-13).

Despite a last-end hot-shot from Richard Lawrence, John Thomas, Roy Leake and Peter Ward (28-15) Ringwood were already condemned to a 10-4 (85-83) defeat by Knyveton Gardens who were indebted to Tom Gooch an 11th-hour sub from the third team for Richard Garrett Mike Wilkins, Tony Davis and Mike Beales (31-16).

After four wins on the bounce, Branksome Park have bade farewell to relegation fears and are now pursuing a top-three finish, their latest victims being Southbourne 12-2 (109-69).

A 35-11 beauty from Ernie Culley, Ray Gollop, Doug Mitchell and Tony Golding (35-11) propelled Branksome past the ton with Alan Elkin, Keith Aldridge, Peter Dockree and John Challis (23-17) saving Southbourne's bacon.

SECTION TWO

WEST Moors' lead at the top was cut to the bone after their 11-3 (71-70) triumph at fading Electric was bettered by New Milton's maximum (107-56) against Branksome Park A.

Jim Elder, Denny Jarrold, Peter Wooller and Bill Wallace (27-8) and Paul Willis, Bob Burns, Trevor Rock and Brian Jones (33-16) put Branksome to the sword while Tom Downes, Bill Bedford, John Taylor and John Niblock (22-10) sparked West Moors.

John Diaper, Brian McCoy, Paul Potter and Chris Hollier (27-10) did their utmost for Electric.

Fordingbridge stayed up with the promotion pace by roasting Richmond Park 13-1 (89-58).

Brian Waldman, David Bradley, Geoff Phillips and Derek Purse (31-8) were the 'Bridge guiding lights and Dave Garrett, Gil Webb, Brian King and Vernon Dillon (16-16) collected the Richmond consolation.

Highcliffe rattled the coffin lid by overcoming Braeside 8-6 (69-67). Alf Ford, Tom Lucas, Douglas Blunden and Ron Jones (23-9) were on song for the table-proppers and Jim O'Brien, Horace Hipkiss, John Tulley and Peter Lloyd (20-14) were the pick for Braeside.

Headed by Malcolm Perkins, Bill Ashworth, Phil Dearlove and Bob Sprules (30-18) Boscombe Cliff A tamed Pelhams 10-4 (85-76), the Kinson club's best response coming from Mike Perry, Alan Wheeler, Cyril Jeans and Bob Robins (21-12).

SECTION THREE

MID-TABLE Christchurch produced a bold show when losing 10-4 (66-61) to high-flying Southbourne A.

Graham Hicks, Ron Woodcock, Mike Poore and John Waller (23-8) bolstered the Priory town club but Ian Munch, Tom Harrington, Brian Sadler and Frank Warren (24-10) helped swing the verdict Southbourne's way.

David Wanklin, Tony Nelson, Tony Wanklin and Alan Tavener (27-10) starred in Moordown's 13-1 (95-66) hiding of Kings Park while a 32-7 gem from Seton Smith, Graham Eyers, Bryan Morgan and Peter Kingdom carried Argyll to a ton in their 12-pointer (100-59) against Wessex A.

Iford Bridge landed a rare win thanks to the 28-14 contribution from John Millett, Ken Tuck, Robin Rutty and John Smith in the 10-pointer (74-67) against Knyveton Gardens A whose reply was led by Terry Davis, Len Tolladay, Dave Glascodine and Rex Gale (17-11).

To complete a division of home wins Lymington silenced Wimborne A 10-4 (89-70). Jim McGreavy, Ken Priddle, Ken Carter and Reg Robinson (26-11) set the Foresters alight with Bob Hilbourne, Roy Campbell, Brian Wilkins and John Welch (24-19) the Wimborne livewires.

SECTION FOUR

NEW Milton A moved to the summit with a 12-2 (97-77) demolition of Poole Park A. Dennis Barton, Joe Kelsey, Peter Kearsey and Roger Herlihy (27-16) fired New Milton and Roger Tidby, Norman Austin, Howard Patch and Ray Smith (19-17) gave Poole something to smile about.

Geoff Bell, Maurice Honey, Phil Radley and Fred Merritt (30-6) went on the rampage as Ringwood A caned Poole Park B 12-2 (102-56). Mike Chadwick, Ted McIndoe, Bob Walford and Bill Ogden (26-23) saved Poole from ignominy.

A 37-15 stormer from Ray Vye, David Thomas, Ray Seacombe and John Howitt made the journey worthwhile for visitors Swanage who outgunned Bournemouth A 12-2 (94-80). John Dustan, Colin Haynes, Ralph Johns and John Reeves (26-12) kept Bournemouth afloat.

SECTION FIVE

REDHILL Park A kept their promotion prospects bubbling with a 12-pointer (89-71) against Swanmore. Roy Saunders, John Jeans, Sid Atkins and Bob Dixon (27-15) lifted Redhill and Colin Brooke, David Rye, Tony Bullock and Eric Maidment (21-19) cheered Swanmore.

The top versus bottom clash went to form when Milford clobbered Lymington A 12-2 (90-64). Derek Newland, Colin Baker, Ken Penfold and Viv Bailey (25-13) were the cornerstone for Milford while Al Gourley, Ted Priddice, Geoff Nightingale and Arthur Baker (20-18) soothed Lymington.

A 29-10 sparkler from Vittorio Gariano, Denis Dymott, Brian Pearce and Brian Devine steered Richmond Park A to an 11-3 (90-70) verdict against Boscombe Cliff B whose stalwarts were Len Tetlow, Maurice Wheat, Don Hamilton and George Allen (24-18).

West Moors B accumulated the same shots total when sinking Argyll A 12-2 (90-60). John Elliott, Derek Eason, Bert Sadler and John Price (25-10) were the West Moors heroes and Arthur Lawrence, Dennis Winfield, Trevor Jarvis and Brian Gatrill (18-17) squeezed the Argyll points.

A 28-12 show from Arthur Fish, Cliff Webster, Brian Openshaw and Roy Pearce was the key to Pelhams' 12-2 (77-73) away-day victory at Kings Park A.

Wally Tanner, Ken Boreham, Colin Colebrook and Roy Simpson (27-11) gained the Kings reward.

SECTION SIX

DEREK Painter, Len Cosser, Bryan Clay and Huw Evans (27-14) guided Southbourne B to a full house (88-58) at New Milton B and Len Hughes, Malcolm Long, Bill Pentelow and Roy Alner (21-13) were at the helm as Ferndown A netted all 14 points (76-54) against Branksome Park B.

Phil Jackson, Lee Tilson, Denis King and Roger Gallup (26-16) were the biggest contributors to Wimborne B's 12-2 (89-66) result at Christchurch A, Mike Barlow, John Butterworth, Peter Keeping and Len Perkin (19-16) clawing back a rink for the hosts.

A score of 79 proved enough for Knyveton Gardens B but not for Swanmore A.

KGB pocketed 12 points (79-68) with Cyril Archer, Murray Bacon, Ray Palmer and Mike Ball (23-11) the sharpest shooters against Iford Bridge A whose solitary riposte was courtesy of Bruce Boddy, Ken Swallwel, Brian Packman and Brian Sedgwick (25-16).

However, Swanmore crumbled 90-79 at home to Highcliffe A whose 12-point haul was set up by Chris Pring, Fred Cruickshanks, Stuart McCall and Peter Loffler. John Hillesdon, Richard Peacey, Harold Reed and Ron Prigg (21-12) pepped Swanmore.

• Wimborne's Daniel Tomberry takes on Nick Voss (Dorchester) in the Dorset under-25 singles final at Wimborne on July 20 (6pm).