RICHMOND Park stepped up their quest for back-to-back titles on a day when the top three A League teams were beaten.

The reigning champions began against Argyll in fourth spot and emerged in second after a maximum (46-23), thanks to Monica Niemier, Pam Draper, Lynda Gorf and Julie Saunders (23-11) and Sylvia Postill, Ann Devine, Linda Johnson and Eileen Deadman (23-12).

Redhill Park finally broke the ice when overcoming fellow strugglers Poole Park 4-2 (46-34) with a 30-10 scorcher from Jean Beedie, Barbara Jones, Chris Smith and Ethel Hanlon (30-10).

Penny Cresswell replied 24-16 for Poole against Margaret Colborne, Pauline Wiseman, Jean Dixon and Pat Horgan.

Richmond Park's B Leaguers mirrored their first team with a six-pointer (42-26) at West Moors courtesy of Jean Revell, Mary Ridout, Mary Lucas and Brenda Streater (23-9) and Dorothy Borthwick, Joy Spencer, Sue Dillon and Trish Gray (19-17).

Milford rose out of the B League basement by taming Brockenhurst 4-2 (39-28). A 24-7 corker from Sheila Hall, Margaret Jeakings, Di Goodyear and Barbara Newland did the trick even though Diane Place (21-15) snapped back for Brock against Betty Whitehead, Judy Spooner, Chris Capron and Joan Moss.

Five unbeaten records vanished - including Ferndown (A League), B Leaguers Broadstone and C League leaders Verwood.

Wimborne landed a maximum (39-35) against Broadstone while Swanmore secured a fine full house (36-32) at Verwood.

Chris Sexton, Chris King, Elaine Campbell and Lorna Foreman (20-19) conjured up a last-end four for Wimborne while alongside, Colette Jackson, Terry Hilbourne, Jenny Clark and Pat Gallup triumphed 19-16.

Doreen Cross, Esme Hazel, Eileen Weeden and Sheila Clarke (17-15) took one rink for Swanmore and their colleagues Doreen Peacey, Daphne Hales, Pam Bullock and Pearl Shepheard were in command at 17-11 until Audrey Merrington captured a six for Verwood. However, Shepheard's flock recovered with singles on the final two ends to win 19-17.

Four sides remain undefeated - the Pelhams Perfectionists (not a single rink dropped in six B League matches), C League pair Fordingbridge and New Milton and G League high-fliers Argyll.

Fordingbridge flourished 6-0 (52-36) at Argyll where Rosemary Owen, Janet Norrish, Pat Lugg and Mary Wych (31-18) strode in with support from Brenda Hammond, Mary Tuck, Chris Carter and Jenny Alder (21-18).

Alexandra Park notched their first C League victory 5-1 (39-32) against Pelhams due to Doris Singleton, Ruth Addis, May Evans and Deirdre Owen (21-14). The other Alex four of Greta Maddock, Georgina McGregor, Jenny Chalk and Gill Fagg tied 18-18.

Although Jean Tricksey, Vesta Monk, Sonia Cross and Brenda Lewis crept in 19-18, Kings Park fell 4-2 (44-37) after Jean Barnett, Jenny Moran, Kath Wetherall and Joyce Clough slipped up 26-18 to E League table-toppers Branksome.

Doreen Gillett, Val Keeping, Jennifer Ford and Doreen Hewitt (21-14) and Dorie Ridgewick, Delia Holt, Beryl Webster and Ann Gill (19-15) propelled Christchurch to their F League maximum (40-29) against Poole Park but in the G League, Poole took six points themselves (37-26) against Milford skips Geraldine Somerton and Jean Burchell.