Cooke & Co dish out the pain as title hopes grow

SOUTHSEA WAVERLEY continue to lead the way in Portsmouth & District League division one after a 19-shot home win over Fareham, writes Dave Wildman.

They won on three rinks – led by an 11-shot victory from Paul Cooke’s quartet.

John Travers’ rink prevented a whitewash with a six-shot win.

Priory are second after a four-shot victory at Cowplain.

Their winning margins on three rinks overcame the 15-shot win by Mike Hyland’s Cowplain quartet.

Alexandra and Portsmouth Water slugged out a 77-77 draw – with both clubs winning two rinks.

The former snatched a very close measure on the final end to deny Peter Musson’s Waterboys a match-winning third shot.

Leigh Park had an excellent 32-shot home win over Waterlooville.

Ben Cope’s quartet won by 22 – and that proved decisive.

Richard Allen’s fourshot victory prevented a whitewash.

Vospers, fresh from a 25-shot home defeat by Portsmouth Water, were thrashed at Lee-on-the-Solent.

The latter won all four rinks to triumph by 77.

Skips Graham Hillier and Dennis Wren both recorded 26-shot victories.

In division two, Star & Crescent had their title hopes dented by a 13-shot defeat at Crofton.

They only picked up two points – thanks to Simon Filippi’s rink.

Crofton won the others, led by Charlie Read’s quartet.

Milton Park took advantage of Star’s slip-up, closing the gap at the top with a 32-shot win over College Park.

They owed much to the 27-shot win by Andy McKain’s rink.

At the bottom, Denmead lost again – this time by 16 at home to Gosport.

Tony Horne’s men did all the damage with a 22-shot win.

Bridgemary are still winless after a 25-shot defeat at Naismith.

Mick Chandler’s rink were key – as they won by 20.

Hayling Island have fallen to two successive defeats – at the hands of Cosham Park and Gas Social – in division three.

Gas then fell to a 13-shot home defeat at the hands of Purbrook Heath.

But Derek Langford’s rink, who starred in both matches, did enough to ensure they leapfrogged Hayling into top spot.

Elsewhere, Phoenix beat Emsworth by 35 shots.