BRANKSOME PARK, who suffered their only defeat of 2001 at Alexandra Park, again fell foul of their near neighbours, ending the champions' 10-match unbeaten sequence.
In mid-July last year, Branksome Park slumped 12-2 - and the Alex jinx struck them by the same margin this time, the scoreline on shots being a decisive 89-66.
Alan Trevett, David Hodgnkiss, Gary Pick and Paul King (28-14) topped the Alexandra Park master class with Paul Tidby, Trevor Broad, Scott Golding and Tony Golding (23-20) saving face for the reigning Section One kings.
Branksome Park's demise means that Boscombe Cliff march into pole position as the only undefeated side in the elite division after obliterating West Moors Memorial 14-0 (117-46). Charlie Munden, Bernie Vallis, Mike Squires and Russell Morgan (33-11) led the romp.
Chris Higham, Colin Shew, John Cooke and Brian Ludlow (22-13) were the cornerstone of Wimborne's 12-2 (81-77) awayday success at Bournemouth where Keith Irwin, Bert Mitchell, Bob Curtis and Chris Eames (21-13) landed the home club's consolation.
An interesting confrontation is this fixture was Hampshire's Middleton Cup manager John Plomer of Bournemouth being drawn against his Dorset counterpart Brian Davis. The Dorset boss edged it 17-16 for Wimborne.
Argyll eased their problems at the foot of the table by outgunning Ringwood 10-4 (77-74). Brian Collyer, John Cuff, Brian Oliver and Wynne Davies (25-14) headed the Argyll effort with Richard Lawrence, John Crout, Graham Harkins and Alec Wells (27-16) best for the Foresters.
Boscombe Cliff A are still searching for that elusive first win after tumbling 10-4 (86-76) at Poole Park whose star performers were Bob Parks, Alan Richards, Chris Weeks and Paul Spetch (27-17). Don Hamilton, Chris Pace, Keith Varley and Derrick Pavey (21-18) led the Cliff resistance.
The last unbeaten Section Two analysis vanished when Southbourne crumbled 10-4 (92-71) at New Milton whose heroes were Paul Willis, Eric Ridge, Robert Burns and Peter Wooller (27-13). Bob Read, Paul Revell, Finlay MacKenzie and Peter Dawson (24-19) stuck to their guns for Southbourne.
New Milton take over top slot and also moving up are Knyveton Gardens who pipped Braeside to land 10 points in a last end 84-83 thriller. Arthur Watson, Derek Painter, Mike Beales and Tony Tarrant (29-20) bloomed for Gardens and Phil How, Brian Wrightson, Barrie Horne and Terry Cox (22-14) were Braeside's aces.
Kings Park vacated the cellar by trouncing Christchurch 13-1 (87-61) to secure their first win of the season. John Challis, Alan Thompson, Frank McCafferty and Ian Davies (27-11) put Kings in the driving seat while Norman Caulfield, Spence Williams, Tony Connor and Ray Williams clung to the Christ-church point with a 17-17 draw.
Deric Pritchard, Des Fox, Dave Foote and Russell Foote (18-14) did Electric a power of good as they bagged 11 points despite only finishing 85-82 up on shots against Iford Bridge. John Hayhoe, Terry Sedgwick, Mike Emsley and Alan Doughty (23-20) were the Bridge stalwarts.
Inspired by Jeff Mann, Edmond Sandell, Graham Cox and Gordon Flay (27-11), Branksome Park A overcame Wessex 12-2 (87-69), Geoff Lowcock, Martin Lawrence, Malcolm Peters and Steve Van Wyk (22-16) responding for the Broadstone men.
Top met bottom in Section Three with the outcome going to form as Richmond Park A polished off Poole Park A 12-2 (83-66). Ken Mantell, Frank Marsh, Jack Barton and Colin Johnson (23-13) were Richmond's leading lights.Bob Hobby, David Terrell, Ken Harding and Chris Eales (25-14) spared Poole's blushes.
However, when second played third, it was the lower team who triumphed with Transport conquering Moordown 12-2 (97-77). Terry Davis, Dave Glascodine, Iain Fraser and John Kellow (29-16) put Transport on the right track and Andrew Barnes, Tony Nelson, Mike Ball and Willie Droge (24-11) were the Moordown maestros.
To complete a tremendous day for the club, Alexandra Park A overwhelmed Ferndown 14-0 (102-49) to roar into second place helped by a 30-8 sparkler from Mark Grimes, Kevin O'Connell, Bob Pearce and Joe Staddon against Vic Pegrum.
Redhill Park also clocked up a maximum (97-59) with Colin Bingley, Alan Stokes, Brian Wilkins and Ron Adams winning 29-11 against Roy Richardson.
Although Gary Koch, Roger Hunt, Hugh Theobald and Gerry Potts (30-13) captured the best rink win of the match, Bournemouth A could not prevent Swanage's progress. John Thompson, Ray Seacombe, Ted Curtis and Ron Emmitt (30-14) excelled in the Purbeck club's 10-4 (85-80) success.
Richmond Park B netted three rink victories yet still stumbled 8-6 (68-64) to Section Seven leaders Christchurch. David Daman, Graham Stanton, Dennis Dymott and Brian Pearce (22-11) were Richmond's finest but Alf Morris, John Ashley, Tom Lamont and Stan Ridgewick (25-7) had the last laugh for Christchurch.
Argyll B rattled up their first win in style pounding Swanage A 13-1 (86-61). Cyril Longman, Trevor Wilshire, Geoff Budd and Richard Smith enjoyed a 30-11 spree leaving David Hogsflesh to rescue the Swanage point with an 18-18 draw.
Southbourne C, who were without a game, are now propping up the table after Poole Park C rose from the depths by crushing Knyveton Gardens 11-3 (97-63). Roger Tidby, John Chapman, Stephen Denison and Mike Chadwick (34-6) sparked Poole's climb and Derek Cufflin, Stan Rogers, Brian Opie and Dave Rickhuss (22-19) were Knyveton's lone winners.
Alec Vaughan, Don Harris, Phil Quick and Bunny Hyde indulged in a 30-8 dazzler as Wimborne B spanked New Milton C 12-2 (83-63).
Frank Dowsett, Maurice Coombes, Gilbert Cole and Don Shield (27-13) prevented the whitewash.
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