ALL-CONQUERING Boscombe Cliff are B&D champions for the fourth year in a row. The Woodland Avenue maestroes duly clinched the crown on their home green despite being held 82-82 by fellow high-flyers Ringwood.
Boscombe Cliff appeared to have their 13th win of the campaign in the bag when five shots ahead with one end remaining but Ringwood's solitary winners Geoff Bell, Eric Knight, Barrie Seymour and Derick Faulkner (24-14) grabbed a shock five to force a tie.Boscombe Cliff, however, took the lion's share of the points (9-5) with their three rink successes headed by Lee Croad, Ron Sparks, Bernie Vallis and Tony Gabb (27-21 against Peter Ward).
Long-serving Boscombe Cliff secretary Brian Winmill said: "I am so proud of the team because it has been a very difficult season not only with Middleton Cup calls but with injuries to the likes of Chris Martin and Graham Matthews and others being forced to drop out at times.
"But despite everything they coped and team captain Ron Sparks has done an excellent job."
Despite their last-gasp heroics Ringwood drop to third spot after Knyveton Gardens nipped above them in the race for second place with an 11-3 triumph at Dorset league and cup double kings Wimborne.
Tony Clarke, Jeff Mann, Bob Osler and Richard Garrett (28-15) had Knyveton on the rise with John Humber, Bill Foreman, Graham Longman and Les Batt (23-16) responding for the Minstermen.
Wimborne, however, were still grinning in defeat because they are certain to stay up following the 10-4 (74-70) defeat of West Moors by Electric in the tussle of the relegated pair.
Malcolm Downham, Don Whitlock, Richard Haynes and Brian Butler (26-14) steered Electric to only their third victory of the summer while Peter Rhodes, Richard Tugwell, John Simmons and John Hill (22-11) did their level best for West Moors.
Bournemouth bagged a maximum (85-63) against Poole Park headed by Vic Druce, Malcolm Gray, Chris Eames and Chris Dowding (22-14 against Bob Atkins).
Alexandra Park stayed on course for a top-four finish with a 12-pointer (78-63) against Wessex. Eric Moore, Eric Simon, Pat Ravelin and Peter Willats (28-13) were the leading Alex lights and Wilf Scott, Gordon Tompsett, Harry Hinton and Roy Lench (20-16) cheered Wessex.
Section Five
Ringwood A all but wrapped up the Section Five title with a 12-pointer (83-60) against Milford. Don Lane, John Legg, Dennis Newham and Nigel Brown (22-12) topped the Ringwood effort with Ray Doolan, Tim Capron, Jim Bowman and Don Henry (18-16) soothing Milford.
New Milton B's prospects of avoiding the drop soared with a crucial 12-2 (81-70) verdict at fellow strugglers West Moors B.
Peter Barrows, John Tarr, Gilbert Cooke and Alan Herring (27-17) were at the hub as New Milton vacated the dungeon spot. John Halford, Derek Miles, Bert Sadler and John Price (20-11) saved West Moors from despair.
Gerry Dixon, Jim Rolfe, Roy Sargent and Edgar Kerley (27-17) needed every shot when Redhill Park A kept their promotion push rolling with a 10-pointer - albeit by just 80-79 - at Lymington A. Dave Fielding, Stewart Whatmore, Sam Randle and Danny Watson (20-13) were Lymington's finest.
A 37-9 belter from Derek Knott, Jim Buckman, Nick Wall and Ted McIndoe kept Poole Park B in the promotion frame too with a 10-point haul (102-74) against Argyll A whose smartest rink comprised John Hancock, Colin Harrison, Denis Munday and Barry Wootton (25-14).
Highcliffe A remain in trouble after stumbling 10-4 (92-74) at home to Kings Park A whose prize-guys were Denis Gowen, Arthur Little, Colin Proctor and Ian Davies (29-8). Jim Slade, Trevor Welsh, Jim Lawrence and Brian Giltrow (29-13) were the Highcliffe aces.
Section Six
Boscombe Cliff B, who had a wretched season last year, could be upwardly mobile this summer after a 12-2 (84-68) eclipse of Wimborne B sent them into second place.
Basil Phillips, Keith Symonds, John Morris and John Jupp (24-9) were Boscombe's driving-force and Denis King, John Russell, David Barr and Geoff McKie (21-19) spared Wimborne's blushes.
Boosted by the 24-17 card of Derek Winters, Mike Stark, Tom Cuthbertson and Roy Pearce Pelhams A pressed on towards the title by edging home 76-75 for 10 points against Christchurch A whose premier rink read Bill Cummings, Derek Neville, John Williams and Stan Ridgewick (20-15).
Southbourne B's promotion quest was tripped up in an 11-3 (87-75) setback against Knyveton Gardens B. Merv Courtney, Don Priddle, Murray Bacon and Jim Divall (29-11) sparkled for KGB with Southbourne's solitary success coming from Dennis Heath, Den Cutler, Frank Davis and Jack Warham (25-15).
A rousing 28-13 show from Ron Gowan, Peter Berry, Geoff Simmonds and Barry Coates (28-13) helped Swanmore A gain their second full house in the last three matches when they swamped Richmond Park B 94-73.
Iford Bridge A leapfrogged Ferndown A after outbattling them 10-4 (84-72). Geoff Gunn, Bob Whitaker, Alan Rankine and Trevor Ross gorged themselves with a 40-6 Iford feast while Jack Denyer, Peter Sayer, Eric Baker and Graham Hogg (32-11) flourished extremely well for Ferndown.
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