ALEXANDRA Park hauled themselves out of the bottom two in Section One with a handsome 13-1 (86-64) victory against Bournemouth.

Despite being weakened by Middleton Cup calls, Alex romped home led by Alan Burden, Kevin O'Connell, Alec McGregor and Mike Stapleton (26-13) with Colin Bingley, Kevin Saunders, Dave Sewell and Chris Dowding (19-19) snatching the Bournemouth tie with a last-end two against Bob Turnbull.

Wimborne, however, found the absence of eight bowlers on Middleton Cup duty too much of a burden as their title bid faltered 12-2 (93-73) at Knyveton Gardens.

The Minstermen asked Knyveton for a postponement but their request was rejected which left Wimborne spitting feathers. At present there is no B&D rule about compulsory postponements if a club have players in Middleton Cup matches.

Wimborne, and I daresay Boscombe Cliff, would welcome one but league secretary Mike Grimsdale said: "If Wimborne want to do something about it, they must petition other clubs and put a proposal before the annual meeting."

Reg Davis, Bob Osler, Dave Swindells and John Kellow (29-15) sparked Knyveton with Denis King, Peter Laundon, Mike Connett and Brian Ludlow (25-15) propping up the Minstermen.

Despite another Peter Ward master-class alongside Lee Croad, John Thomas and Roy Leake (21-14) Ringwood buckled 10-4 (82-62) at Branksome Park who had Dave King, Edmund Sandell, Graham Cox and Paul Tidby (30-7) in irresistible form.

That Ringwood defeat meant Boscombe Cliff soared further clear at the summit after obliterating West Moors 14-0 (94-56) with Frank Wells, Dennis Moss, Gerry Davis and Colin Garment (34-9) in full bloom backed by Kevin Downs, Gary Taylor, Fred Harwood and Michael Squires (23-14).

Southbourne now occupy second spot after showing no compassion to cellar-dwellers New Milton. Bob Read, Richard Poole, John Challis and Dean Hopkins (24-19) guided Southbourne to their 12-pointer (79-72) after trailing 19-9 on 14 ends. Paul Willis, Bob Burns, Trevor Rock and Brian Jones (21-16) provided the home side's panacea.

POOLE DERAILED

SKIP Mike Harley had something to shout about when he teamed up with Mick Fay, Barrie Blake and Richard Haynes for a 31-14 stormer as Electric shattered Poole Park's unbeaten Section Two record 14-0 (97-63).

Rob Burchell, John Diaper, Steve Hack and Gary Hawes (21-12) gave sturdy support.

Yet even Harley's heroics were topped by B&D president Ron Barclay and comrades Mike Lugg, Jim Wych and Des Jarvis (34-15) when Fordingbridge outgunned Southbourne A 10-4 (83-79) to reclaim pole position. Jeff Bliss, Eddy Hind, Keith Aldridge and Larry Cox (26-11) kept Southbourne in the hunt.

A 28-10 smasher from Graham Morgan, David Stopp, Anthony Clarkson and Roy Richardson maintained Lymington's robust start to the season 10-4 (85-67) against Pelhams who were fortified by John Watts, Richard Free, Phil Jeans and Jim Flexman (19-16).

After five defeats, Richmond Park hit the jackpot 10-4 (89-75) against Wessex. Craig Paterson, Alex Findlay, Mike Lodge and Dave Snow (29-19) topped the Rich list and Wilf Scott, Mike Sabine, Bob Sibley and Harry Hinton (23-19) shone for visiting Wessex.

Former B&D president Ken Riley collaborated with Peter Knight, Adrian Morris and Ray Southgate for a 27-13 gem as Braeside pounded Boscombe Cliff 12-2 (92-60). Richard Brion, John Cave, Mike Proctor and Keith Varley (23-19) spared Cliff's blushes.

LEADERS TOPPLED

MOORDOWN surrendered number one slot in Section Three after being pipped 69-68 by Branksome Park A who were piloted to 11 points by Bill Boll, John Woollcott, Hector Binding and Richard Cooper (21-12).

Willi Droge, Dave Cooke, Mike Sykes and Tony Hutley (24-15) were Moordown's bright sparks.

New leaders are Iford Bridge who waltzed in 11-3 (87-63) at Christchurch thanks to the 27-7 corker from Mark Farrant, Barry Short, Terry Sedgwick and Alan Doughty. Joe Spicer, Bob Holt, Brian Graham and Bruce Glanville were Christchurch's solitary victors.

Graham Stride, Ken Collier, Ernie Thorne and David Seeley (21-11) were Highcliffe's prize-guys in a 12-2 (72-62) derby triumph against New Milton A who retaliated through John Drake, Don McCarthy, Alan Reynolds and Derek Johnson (20-11).

Struggling Knyveton Gardens A plunged 12-2 (92-75) at Swanage whose leading lights were Mike Keats, Ted Curtis, David Billington and Norman Dames (28-14). Terry Davis, Tom Gooch, David Glascodine and Rex Gale (27-23) consoled Knyveton.

Ken Hitchins, Bob Jones, Colin Proctor and Frank McCafferty's 21-7 card made the difference when Kings Park polished off Argyll 10-4 (78-64). Lloyd Hemming, Don Hawkins, Mal Clarke and Clive Bunford (26-22) were Argyll's sharpest rink.

UP, UP AND AWAY

EVERY Section Four match ended in an away win - with Milford the top travellers.

The Milford men secured a maximum (88-67) at Ringwood A where John Ellis, Colin Baker, Gary Kirby and Rod Somerton (25-15) and Roger Christie, Derek Newland, Roy Utton and Viv Bailey (26-17) made themselves at home.

A 27-12 cameo from Dante Polak, Bob Brodie, Phil Hobby and Mike Bull was sufficient for Braeside A to sink Bournemouth A 8-6 (77-73). Ken Irish, Jim Dustan, Richard Cheadle and Ralph Johns (23-17) were the pick of Bournemouth's three winners.

Roger Luscombe, Doug Horne, Bob Dixon and Darrell Reeves produced a 31-10 dazzler to give Redhill Park an 11-3 (88-59) success at West Moors A whose effort was headed by Charles Leonard, Cyril Martin, John Simmons and Charles Morris (18-16).

Although Derek Addis, Mike Chadwick, John Mullins and Chris Eales (24-10) notched the highest rink victory of the day, Poole Park A still bowed 10-4 (81-76) to Swanmore who were indebted to Alan Piper, Mike Cadle, John Field and Barry Coates (22-11).

Tim Cockwell, Ashley Leaper, Alan Godwin and Malcolm Peters (28-18) underpinned Wessex A's 12-2 (83-67) verdict at Wimborne A. Bob Hilbourne, Percy Swinson, Graham Longman and Ian Napleton (19-12) bagged the host club's points.

TON-UP BOSCOMBE

NORMAN Smith, Ricky Wrenn, John Coles and John Morris (30-13) ran riot when Boscombe Cliff B roasted Richmond Park A 12-2 (104-63) in Section Five. Gil Webb, Frank Chawe, Brian King and Bill Clark (19-16) cheered Richmond.

A 30-6 humdinger from Peter Sayer, Jack Denyer, Graham Hogg and Ron Taylor only served as a consolation for Ferndown who were shaded 72-70 at Redhill Park A. AlanTaylor, Brian Walters, Gerry Dixon and Ray Sargent (29-10) drove the hosts to their 11-3 victory.

Spearheaded by a 34-13 stunner from John Telford, Bryan Clay, Chris Broomfield and Ken Dadson Southbourne B carried out a 10-point (85-77) raid on Pelhams A whose stalwarts were Cyril Lee, Dave Hilton, Lionel Trebilcock and Peter Dyke (25-18).

The Mac-factor propelled Kings Park A to an 11-3 (91-73) result at Argyll A. Ian Macpherson skipped Derek Place, Arthur Little and Doug Pember to a 32-9 cracker with Argyll's lone winners being Roy Ricketts, Graham Eyers, Ben Brown and Jim Sach (23-13).

LYMINGTON TOPS

LYMINGTON A strode to the head of Section Six on a day when all four matches played ended 10-4.

Eddie Burt, Ted Marks, Bill Fenner and Brian Perrett (28-18) did the trick in a 76-63 performance at New Milton B whose main men were Frank Dowsett, Ken Craggs, Reg Thorpe and Denny Jarrold (20-16).

John Lee, John Scoulding, Mark Grimes and Merv Courtney (28-11) laid the foundations for Knyveton Gardens B's 87-72 eclipse of Swanmore A who were lifted by Ray Steuart, Geoff Harradine, Bert Mott and Dennis Durnford (22-15).

West Moors B had Jack Boorer, John Frost, Peter Cookson and Ken Hoare (25-9) in great shape when they silenced Iford Bridge A 84-62. Ken Swallwel, Ken Ayres, Ron Hutchings and Brian Levy (20-18) clung to the Iford points.

Fired by Bob Pardy, Sonny Brown, John Wilkinson and Frank Davis (29-13), Southbourne C touched off a Branksome Park B team 76-73 for whom Clive Harris, Lynn Jenkins, Edgar Deakin and Peter Dixon (28-13) fared virtually as well.