Greenhill'S newly-formed rink of Middleton Cup bowlers showed they were the best in Dorset by carrying off the county fours' title at Dorchester.

Harry Hovenden (lead) and Barry Patterson - both established members at the Weymouth club - combined with new arrivals Stacey Dickinson and skip Adam Tidby to pip John Lawlor, Martin Pavey, Doug Rumble and Steve Gait of Dorchester 18-17.

Dickinson is having his first season with Greenhill after moving from Dorchester while Tidby

started his second spell with them this year, again having previously been with Dorchester.

After their triples success the previous evening Lawlor, Rumble and Gait were out to make it a double on their home green but having worked hard to wipe out Greenhill's lead the pendulum swung back to Tidby's men in a dramatic finale.

With the score at 4-4 after seven ends Greenhill moved 9-4 ahead two ends later and the margin was 13-7 by the 13th. Tidby was still 14-10 in front after 16 only for Gait to weigh in with a two and a three to seize a 15-14 lead.

However, the Greenhill response was immediate and crucial with Tidby collecting twos on successive ends for an 18-15 advantage which won them the trophy after the gallant Gait could gain only two shots on the final end.

The result cheered Dickinson and Tidby following their 23-18 defeat by Alan Trevett and Mike Stapleton of Alexandra Park in the pairs final 24 hours earlier at the same venue.

The Greenhill duo were favourites for the crown but they never looked particularly happy playing on an end rink. Alex led 7-1 and were still 11-4 ahead after seven before Dickinson and Tidby cut the margin to 11-9 by halfway.

Although Alex were 14-10 to the good on the 13th Greenhill snatched the initiative over the next two ends with Tidby taking out the Alex shot wood and setting up a two on the 14th and then recording a majestic six on the 15th to stand at 18-14.

Yet instead of setting them up for victory those were the last ends Greenhill were to win as Alex, with Trevett impressive at lead, surged to the trophy, regaining the lead at 20-18 on the 18th with a three when Tidby twice fired and missed the target.