Knyveton Gardens stormed to top spot in Section One with a 10-4 win at Ringwood. The Foresters’ best return came from Barry Horne’s squad (23-17), but this was eclipsed by Terry Davis, Deric Pritchard, Dave Baxter and Chris Hollier (26-8), who led the Gardeners to a 91-68 victory.

Alexandra Park suffered their first defeat against Branksome Park. Vern Singleton, John Rumble, Alan Miller and Doug Rumble (32-9), and a last-end 20-20 tie by Paul King, gave Alex an 11-3 (88-67) success.

Boscombe Cliff regained second place with a 12-2 (96-73) win at Poole Park after Ron Sparks, David Burgess, Stan Jordan and Alan Geary (25-13) topped the Cliff’s three winning rinks.

Bournemouth shared rinks with Southbourne at Meyrick Park, but two decisive wins headed by the rink of Barry James, John Cuff, Phil Pugh and Vic Druce (28-11) saw the Marauders emerge 87-70 in front.

With both teams seeking a first victory, something had to give at West Moors. Inspired by Bob Hillier, Bill Merrett, John Kitcher and Ian Shiels (32-10), it was Lymington who held their nerve to win 11-3 (76-71).

• Section Two leaders Swanmore were brought down to earth with a 98-48 drubbing at Boscombe Cliff. Don Hamilton, Tony Green, Wayne Foulger and Mike Drage (30-8) led the charge as Cliff collected 14 points.

Broadstone-Wessex reclaimed top spot with a 9-5 win over New Milton. Mike Caines, Bob Steffe, Bob Sibley and Chris Howard’s 20-13 success proved crucial for the Wessex men, who crept in for an 81-78 victory.

Elsewhere, Fordingbridge had to settle for four points after losing 89-70 at Southbourne. Towermen Keith Holbrook, Alan Waterman, Bob Reed and Peter Dockree (31-12) were well up on the Turks’ Ron Barclay (23-19).

Although Kings Park won on two rinks at Wimborne, the result – an 82-50 triumph for the Minstermen – was never in doubt after Doug Lewis, David Shepherd, Keith Gentry and Craig Shepherd clocked in (33-6).

The basement battle at Broadway, meanwhile, resulted in a 12-2 win for Electric over Pelhams. Bill Kerr, Brian Pascoe, Peter Cutts and Rob Burchall (28-5) led the charge of the light brigade as the Sparkies won 95-51.

• Section Three leaders Braeside made it five wins in a row with a three-rink victory over Highcliffe. Ken Riley, Mike Daulby, Bob Warman and Eric Lamb (29-13) put the Carpetbaggers on course for a 94-63 success.

Braeside A suffered defeat at Knyveton Gardens where Adam Broom’s crew of Roy Fenton, John Lee and Ken Budd (28-11) blossomed to lead the Gardeners to a 13-1 (92-57) triumph. Braeside skip Pat Day denied Knyveton a full house by tying 21-21 on the last end.

Poole Park A topped the ton-up league by overcoming Redhill Park 12-2. Bob Hobby, Ken Sharp, Richard Sawyer and Graham Mould (30-12) shaped the Dolphins’ 101-67 win, while Eric Jones (20-18) collected Redhill’s two points.

There was a demolition job at HQ where Moordown received the ‘order of the brush’. John McAuslene, John Butler, Eddie Gilmore and Tony Wanklin (21-11) paved the way for Richmond Park’s 14-0 (87-61) victory.

A massive 32-9 return from Chris Quick, Colin Rattue, Roger Lawrence and Colin Lakey put Iford Bridge on course for an 89-57 win against West Moors. Ray Brinsdon’s rink (16-14) salvaged two points for the Moors.

• Branksome Park A now have a 15-point lead in Section Four after their 12-2 (84-68) win over Argyll. Steve Flay, David Kirkham, Chris Harding and Tony Matthews (22-11) were the pick of the Squirrels’ three winning rinks.

Poole Park B moved up a few places following their 12-2 defeat of Wimborne A. Dave Grant’s squad of Ernie Hendrick, Colin Ansell and Jim Moon (28-12) shone brightly as they led the Dolphins to an 82-63 win.

New Milton A, though, dropped to bottom spot after losing their home fixture with Ferndown 13-1. Tom Beevers, Ray Ford, Barrie Stainer and Dixie Dean (22-11) were on target as the Stags ran out 75-54 winners.

Elsewhere, Christchurch picked up a much-needed 10 points at Milford-on-Sea. It was a close call, but Richard Reeks, Bill Whitcher, Tony Connor and Mike Poore (22-17) put the Priorites on track for an 81-78 win.

• Broadstone-Wessex A skip Alan Godwin (26-6) put his team in a strong position at Lymington in Section Five, but two high scores, the best of which came from Les Ford’s crew (19-8), edged Lymo to a 67-65 triumph.

It was a similar situation at Southbourne where Redhill A won on two rinks. But a mammoth 30-14 return by John Morgan, Gil Webb, John May and Dennis Cutler paved the way for Southbourne’s 100-89 victory.

With two rinks tied, meanwhile, Highcliffe picked up a 10-4 (73-69) win after Mike Rice, Bryan Taylor, Graham Davies and Peter Haworth (23-14) covered Knyveton Gardens skip Trevor Smith (19-14).

Boscombe Cliff B slumped to bottom place following a home defeat by Ringwood A. The Foresters’ best return in their 85-63 triumph came from Aubrey Howell, Ian Harding, John Davis and Brian Tester (22-13).

• Swanmore A are the new leaders in Section Six after their top-of-the-table clash with Branksome Park B. Tony Warren, Derek Ireson, Peter Holden and Harry Small (27-15) inspired the Swans to go on to win 10-4 (86-81).

Ferndown A nipped in ahead of Branksome following their 14-0 triumph over Iford Bridge A. Terry Barter, Bert Whincup, Ken Rolph and Brian Roberts (29-15) were the top bucks in the Stags’ 83-54 victory.

Wimborne B settled for 12 points against Poole Park C. Minstermen Doug Chaney, Brian Hunt, Phil Jackson and Phil White (27-7) left the Dolphins feeling blue (81-56).

Another 12-2 win came at Argyll where Richmond Park’s Roy Milton (26-15) denied the hosts a clean sweep. Top scorers in Argyll’s 90-70 win were John Memory, Barney Moss, Eric Griffin and Mike Merridew (27-8).

Southbourne C recorded their first win of the season with a 12-2 (87-75) success at Kings Park. Alan Dawe, Ken Garard, Peter Gower and Bryan Clay (25-17) topped the Towermen’s three winning rinks.