NEW Milton did the B&D and Hampshire proud by reaching the semi-finals of the Waitrose English BA fours championship at Worthing.

Steve Hockham, Bill Wallace, Peter Wooller and Brian Jones overcame Surrey's Eamon Nolan 17-15, Dorset champions Greenhill 23-10, Stute (Derbyshire) 15-13 and quarter-final opponents Tiverton (Devon) 29-18.

In the last four New Milton recovered from 10-2 down to lead by three shots on the 19th only to be pipped 22-20 by Lancashire.

New Milton could cap their season by becoming Section Two champions, their cause being boosted by a 14-0 (94-63) blitz of Boscombe Cliff A.

Frank Maunder, Mike McLauchlan, Chris Tabor and Mike Cox (29-13) inflicted most damage.

Promotion would pitch New Milton against Boscombe Cliff's first team who moved towards the Section One laurels by crushing Wimborne 11-3 (89-70).

Frank Wells, Ray Daniels, Chris Martin and Alan Geary (25-11) starred for Cliff and Bob Lemar, Peter Laundon, Ian Napleton and Phil Lawrence (23-20) were Wimborne's livewires.

Alan Elkin, Keith Aldridge, Alan Bliss and Peter Dockree (24-11) bolstered Southbourne's survival hopes 12-2 (86-60) against Poole Park whose stalwarts were Roger Tidby, Mike Bennett, Mark Connor and Roger Button (19-18).

Led by Ian Rawlinson, Jeff Gordon, Gerry Potts and Peter Shearing (28-14) Bournemouth maintained their vain chase of the leaders with a 12-pointer (90-66) at Wessex whose consolation came from Wilf Scott, Bob Sibley, Harry Hinton and Roy Lench (22-19).

Second-teamers Trevor Smith, Iain Fraser, Ron Roberts and Peter Dorey (25-13) relished their chance of the big time when shining in Knyveton Gardens' 10-4 (73-64) victory at Alexandra Park.

Alan Trevett, Dave Hodgkiss, Mark Wanklyn and Paul King (18-15) underpinned Alex.

Richard Lawrence, John Thomas, Roy Leake and Peter Ward (26-10) propelled Ringwood to their 12-pointer (87-68) at Branksome Park, Bob Harris, Chris Harding, Alan Attwood and Mike Grimsdale (24-19) sparing the home side's blushes.

SECTION TWO

WEST Moors maintained the promotion pace and killed Fordingbridge's prospects of going up with a 12-2 (99-60) victory. Peter Rhodes, Paul Beards, John Hill and Roger Blackie (33-14) inspired West Moors and Keith Guest, Peter Baker, Ron Barclay and Alan Elsbury (26-18) replied.

Highcliffe's survival hopes plummeted in a 12-2 (86-56) setback against Richmond Park whose prize-guys were Les Deadman, Alex Findlay, Mike Lodge and Dave Snow (30-13). Highcliffe's best: Bill Berry, Malcolm Grace, Bill Watson and Eric Snook (22-14).

Ian Cameron, Arthur Cox, Ron Taylor and Colin Moss (28-14) steered Braeside to their maximum (97-62) against Branksome Park A while Ray Taylor, Mike Lee, Barry Blake and Mike Harley (27-21) were the Electric aces in their 12-2 (86-75) verdict against Pelhams. Lionel Trebilcock, John Green, Barry Joy and Phil Jeans (19-18) responded.

SECTION THREE

A 35-12 stormer from Seton Smith, Ken Budd, Bob Brunton and Clive Bunford kept Argyll on promotion course with a 12-2 (78-65) eclipse of champions-elect Southbourne A.

John Rawlings, Richard Poole, Richard Thompson and Larry Cox (27-8) pepped Southbourne.

Reg Davis, David Baxter, Tony Davis and Dave Hart (30-9) and Roy Fenton, Norman Blow, Geoff Jones and Russell Foote (32-16) went to town when Knyveton Gardens A buried Moordown 14-0 (102-56).

David Stopp, Brian Perrett, Douglas Bowers-Barnard and Les Ford (25-15) proved the difference when Lymington trimmed Wessex A 10-4 (87-85).

Tops for Wessex were Bert Harvey, Peter Banks, David Simmons and George Evans (27-20).

Christchurch are rock-bottom after tumbling 11-3 (76-65) to fellow strugglers Iford Bridge who vacated the last rung due mainly to Chris Quick, Terry Sedgwick, Ian Underwood and Dave Sexton (27-12). Christchurch's best: Richard Reeks, Bob Holt, Spence Williams and Ray Williams (24-14).

SECTION FOUR

LEADERS New Milton A came unstuck 10-4 (86-83) at Bournemouth A whose bright sparks were Richard Cheadle, Alf Sylvester, Ken Irish and Bert Mitchell (31-15). Stan Bolding, Mac Macartney, Keith Young and Raymond Green (25-17) soothed Milton.

Mark Sheppard, Derek Smith, John Mansell and Ron Emmitt included a 14th-end hot-shot in their 37-5 avalanche as Swanage outgunned Ferndown 10-4 (89-63). Ferndown's best: Mike Tate, Matthew Webb, Gordon Fisher, Ron Taylor (23-16).

Poole Park B made it two victories on the bounce helped by the in-form rink of David Dean, Gary Sheppard, Rob Walford and Bill Ogden (26-14) in their 11-3 (87-72) result against West Moors B whose main men were Brian Burton, Colin Mills, Ken Hoare and Arthur Baxter (21-19).

Promotion-hunting Redhill Park sunk Ringwood A 12-2 (88-78). Rex Randle, Doug Horne, Darrell Reeves and Terry Horgan (23-17) were the Redhill kings and Dennis Newham, Ed Melton, Phil Radley and Brian Terry (23-20) fortified Ringwood.

Mike Wallis, Eric Pattenden, Ken Harding and Gordon Brown (27-13) ignited Poole Park A in an 11-3 (85-69) win against Braeside A whose maestroes were John Green, Bob Brodie, Phil Hobby and Alan Watts (21-13).

SECTION FIVE

MILFORD sealed the title with a 12-2 (94-70) romp at Boscombe Cliff B. Stan Bristow, Gary Kirby, Rod Somerton and David Hall (29-9) fired Milford while Richard Brion, Alan Wood, Don Hamilton and Vernon Brown (26-18) replied.

Paddy Roach, Arthur Little, Gordon Wetherall and Richard Harris (26-12) spurred Kings Park A to their 12-pointer (84-73) against Swanmore whose lone response was from Toni Norte, Richard Free, Mick Terry and John Field (25-14).

Spearheaded by Ivor Hunt, Sid Atkins, Don Locke and Barry Sturgess (24-11) Redhill A soothed relegation worries 10-4 (80-73) against West Moors B 10-4 (80-73). West's best: John Crease, Terry Simmons, Mike Tappenden, John McIntyre (26-23).

A solitary 19-12 victory from Al Gourley, Ted Priddice, Mike Hayward and Frank Johnston eased Lymington A to their 9-5 (68-67) verdict at Pelhams A whose fab four were Dave Hilton, Terry Hines, Charlie Loader and Mike Washington (21-16).

A 31-16 gem from John Hancock, Geoff Tate, Geoff Halstead and Norman Dalgarno carried Argyll A to 10 points (85-74) at Richmond Park A. John Butler, Frank Smith, Bill Clark and Alan Broadhurst (16-13) were Richmond's finest.

SECTION SIX

TERRY Barter, Jim Baker, Geoff Percival and Brian Roberts (28-12) shot Ferndown A to their maximum (92-45) against New Milton B as did John Morgan, Dennis Cutler, Reg Everitt and Huw Evans (28-11) of Southbourne B (94-50) at Swanmore A.