SOUTHBOURNE landed a maximum (109-65) at Wimborne and then explained why they played the Section One fixture and had not agreed to a postponement requested by the Minstermen who were severely under-strength because of Dorset Middleton Cup calls.

Southbourne captain Dean Hopkins said: "We received an approach from Wimborne before the season started asking for a postponement, but we felt we could not accommodate this as we would not be able to field a full-strength team on a revised date, so effectively would be at a disadvantage if we did so.

"On May 27, I again received a request from Wimborne stating they had agreed with league secretary Mike Grimsdale to postpone our match until August 11, Bournemouth Open finals day.

"Again, we felt this date, although a Saturday, was not acceptable as firstly a number of our bowlers would be supporting the finals but also other members take holidays during this week as it is the only time between May and September that we can get away over a weekend without missing league bowls.

"This request was on the day after Wimborne had drawn at home to West Moors, a match not effected by Middleton Cup action but may well have been due to other absences.

"Each club will have players away throughout the season, so although it may seem unfair not to always rearrange matches, is it reasonable for us to agree to postpone the game and field a weakened side to suit a team half-filled with Middleton Cup players?"

Ray Rankine, Keith Aldridge, Dennis Simpson and Keith Norman (31-9) tormented Wimborne backed by Alan Elkin, Barry Zabell, Alan Bliss and Peter Dockree (29-20).

Bournemouth clambered out of the relegation places with the slenderest of wins (81-80) to collect 10 points at West Moors. Colin Bingley, Kevin Saunders, Dave Sewell and Chris Dowding (23-13) had Bournemouth upwardly mobile.

West Moors now slip into the bottom two despite the 23-17 display from Brian Burton, Chas Wake, Paul Beards and Dave Paget - and a robust recovery from John Niblock who wiped out a 15-3 deficit to beat Bournemouth's Graham Shadwell 24-20.

Boscombe Cliff made light of their Hampshire Middleton Cup absentees with a 12-pointer (93-63) against Branksome Park thanks chiefly to Peter Gregory, Ray Daniels, Fred Harwood and Michael Squires (26-11).

Dave King, Edmund Sandell, Graham Cox and Paul Tidby (23-17) soothed Branksome.

Alexandra Park were also minus Middle men, yet still polished off New Milton 12-2 (87-64) led by Dave Terrell, Kevin O'Connell, Vernon Singleton and Bob Turnbull (28-13). Paul Willis, Bob Burns, Trevor Rock and Brian Jones (22-12) cheered Milton.

Ed Melton, Ted Fay, John Thomas and Roy Leake (25-19) guided Ringwood to their 10-4 (86-79) success against Knyveton Gardens who were propped up by Tony Clarke, Mike Wilkins, Tony Davis and Mike Beales (20-16).

POOLE ON A HIGH

POOLE Park showed who were masters in the clash of the Section Two leaders with a sparkling full house (92-58) at Fordingbridge.

The result means Poole replace their hosts at the summit due principally to Jim Garner, Barry Higgins, Peter Wilson and Ray Smith (26-12) and Jim Buckman, Mike Bennett, Stuart Stephens and Gordon Brown (24-15).

Despite a 25-5 rip-snorter from Graham Morgan, David Stopp, Anthony Clarkson and Roy Richardson, third-placed Lymington faltered 12-2 (83-77) at Southbourne A where Angus Kennedy, Malcolm Laird, Mike Newton and Paul Turner (26-16) shone for the home side.

Richmond Park's misery continued with a 12-2 (94-79) home setback against Boscombe Cliff A whose fab four were Bill Ashworth, Don Hamilton, David Halliday and Bob Sprules (31-18). Craig Paterson, Alex Findlay, Mike Lodge and Dave Snow (27-15) consoled Richmond.

Rob Burchell, John Diaper, Steve Hack and Gary Hawes (27-10) stole the show in Electric's 12-pointer (86-62) against Braeside who retaliated through Derek Baber, Bob Warman, Colin Seale and David Brooks (21-19).

Pelhams eased their relegation worries by trimming Wessex 10-4 (80-71) with Mike Perry, Alan Wheeler, John Green and Bob Robins (25-13) at the helm. John Hall, Dave Simmons, Keith Michael and Mike Abraham (27-12) lifted Braeside.

TON-UP ARGYLL

TOWERING performances from John Hancock, Russell Pegg, David Cleave and Brian Oliver (38-19) and Lloyd Hemming, Don Hawkins, Peter Kingdom and Clive Bunford (31-12) propelled Argyll to their Section Three 12-pointer (118-67) at New Milton A.

Milton were spared a wipe-out by Mike McLauchlan, Mac Macartney, Keith Young and Ray Green (21-18).

Roy Fenton, Biddy' Parkinson, Geoff Jones and Russell Foote (17-16) captured nine shots over the final three ends to erase a 16-8 deficit but that was all Knyveton Gardens A had to crow about in a 12-2 (78-70) reverse at Moordown who had Willi Droge, Norman Weller, Mike Sykes and Tony Hutley (23-17) in smart form.

Len Perkin, Roger Thacker, Tony Connor and Ken Dean (20-14) steered Christchurch to a 13-1 (85-63) success at Kings Park whose point-savers were Seton Smith, Ken Boreham, Brian Wrightson and Ian Davies (18-18).

Although Branksome Park A's Tony Jennings, Brian Simpkin, Joe Staddon and Nigel Heaney (26-12) scored the game's biggest win, table-toppers Iford Bridge strode home 12-2 (78-62) courtesy of Chris Quick, Ron Morris, Dave Twinning and Ian Underwood (23-11).

SHEW SHINE

WIMBORNE A took the Section Four basement battle at Bournemouth A 12-2 (77-62). John Gibbons, Tony Skidmore, Terry Middleton and Colin Shew (25-15) were the Wimborne livewires and Phil Riggs, Jeff Gordon, Bill Sadler and Wilf Bennett (19-15) grasped Bournemouth's sweetener.

A 30-16 corker from Clive Gaby, Colin Baker, Gary Kirby and Rod Somerton proved the difference when Milford made it four wins on the bounce 10-4 (86-81) against Redhill Park whose main men were Roger Luscombe, Doug Horne, Bob Dixon and Darrell Reeves (25-17).

Sparked by Aubrey Howell, Cyril Archer, Arthur Waller and Nigel Brown (26-18), lowly Ringwood A sprung a 12-2 (77-75) surprise at Wessex A who were kept afloat by Alan Brittain, Ashley Leaper, Dave Edwards and Gordon Tompsett (24-15).

Bob Hobby, David Grant, Bob Walford and Peter Martin (30-17) ran riot as Poole Park A swamped West Moors A 12-2 (94-73). Charles Leonard, Cyril Martin, Pete Barton and Albert Hewitt (24-17) steadied West Moors.

Fired by Dave Deller, Gordon Walter, Arthur Cox and Pat Day (24-11), Braeside A pocketed 12 points (94-67) against Swanmore. Toni Norte, Colin Brooke, Campbell Kinnon and Eric Maidment surged to a 24-22 verdict for Swanmore inspired by a seven after trailing 19-11 on the 16th.

FERNDOWN BLITZ

FERNDOWN put Kings Park A to the sword 14-0 (108-61) in Section Five. Peter Sayer, Jack Denyer, Graham Hogg and Ron Talman (29-15) topped the spree backed by Alan Bradford, Tony Woods, Derek Brown and Bob Thorne (24-12).

Mike Tate, Jim Baker, Peter Dodd and Roy Alner (24-17) completed a profitable day for Ferndown when the A-stringers netted 11 points (76-72) at Argyll A. Phil Reeves, Mike Merridew, Geoff Halstead and Norman Dalgarno (20-13) replied for Argyll.

Struggling Richmond Park A belied their early-season form with a 12-pointer (84-56) at Redhill Park A. Les Deadman, Terry Frapwell, Brian Hacker and Ron Darville (22-14) served Richmond best and Alan Taylor, Jim Rolfe, Gerry Dixon and Roy Sargent (17-15) rescued Redhill.

A 27-8 dazzler from Brian Cox, Dave Madgewick, Alan Bennett and John Eldridge did the trick for Pelhams A in a 10-4 (83-63) verdict at Boscombe Cliff B whose stalwarts were Keith Symonds, Brian Winmill, Tony Green and John Jupp (23-18).

Ray Pugh, Ted McIndoe, Jim Stainer and Stan Cocklin (26-11) kept Poole Park B bowling along at the top following an 11-3 (75-59) eclipse of Southbourne B. Bob Pardy, Tony Perry, Den Cordes and John May (19-16) cheered the losers.

OFF THE MARK

IFORD Bridge A chalked up that elusive first Section Six victory when a 31-13 belter from Geoff Gunn, Jim Burgess, Mike Brunsdon and Roland Hill worked wonders in the 10-4 (75-63) triumph over Southbourne C.

Roy Watson, Eric Mardling, John Wilkinson and Sonny Brown (17-8) bolstered Southbourne.

Lymington A joined Highcliffe A in top spot after beating that club 11-3 (84-80). Ted Marks, Al Gourley, Bill Fenner and Brian Perrett (27-16) ignited Lymington while Keith Day, Trevor Welch, Doug Blunden and Vic Bryant (29-17) were the Highcliffe aces.

A 26-9 cameo from Frank Billett, Bernard Brogan, Dennis Holford and Syd Hasling was enough to give West Moors B their 8-6 (67-66) result against Knyveton Gardens B whose driving-force were Adam Broom, Jim Martin, Graham Broom and Brian Collick (24-10).

In a replica situation, Branksome Park B also recorded an 8-6 victory by the minimum margin (82-81). Peter Flay, Gordon Flay, John Woollcott and Mike Brocklebank (26-12) were the Branksome solo kings with Richard Silcock, Jeff Bowes, Dave Morrison and Derek Tansley (27-19) the New Milton B maestroes.