LODDON VALE gave the Hampshire performance of the third round to beat Picketts Lock 85-71 in the Denny Cup.

At Basingstoke, Loddon were rock solid, with wins by Phil Richardson (27-16) and Dougie Morgan (24-13), but the top display came from the travelling rink of Peter Tarbutt, who triumphed 20-16 in London.

Tarbutt, playing alongside Brian Dozey, Alan Turvey and Phil Spreadbury, had early difficulties with the heavy carpet at Edmonton but gradually warmed to the task and, after being 16-12 down at 16 ends, picked up a three to spark a tremendous finish that saw his rink win 20-16.

In the other contest, Robbie Voller went down 26-14 but even that could not wipe the smiles off Loddon Vale faces.

On Saturday, November 23, the Basingstoke men tackle Egham, who swept past Glebelands 91-70.

Atherley's listless display got what it deserved - a 90-74 beating by Worthing. Only John Keat, Barry Littlewood, Iain Bunday and Richard Shelley showed any kind of life yet, even though they won 22-15 at Hill Lane, they still lacked inspiration.

Otherwise it was a miserable tale for the Southampton club. Colin Thresher fell 26-17 at home while, in Sussex, Denny Graydon lost 23-16 and Bill Groves finished 26-19 down.

Banister Park's 95-54 exit against East Dorset came as little surprise since the Christchurch club look one of the strongest sides in the country and, besides winning the cup in 1998, were semi-finalists last season.

Add to the fact that they have recruited Atherley's international Peter Ward this year as well as England trialist Adam Tidby from Dorset and it is clear they are among the favourites to win this national club championship.

If East Dorset reach the national semi-finals and final they will be on home territory as the trophy will be decided at Palmerston on the weekend of February 15-16.

Andy Anderson at least had the satisfaction of notching Banister Park's solitary rink success - and what better person to do it against than Julian Haines, Hampshire's Liberty Trophy player/manager.

Anderson has again been named as a reserve for this Saturday's Liberty match against Worcestershire yet his compelling Denny display might have given Haines food for thought that he deserves to be in the starting line-up if Hampshire reach the quarter-finals in January.

Ahead 5-1 at five ends, Dave Moore, Steve Whitehead, Roy Alford and skip Anderson always kept East Dorset at arm's length in a 19-13 success at Stoneham Lane.

Russell Morgan, with Tidby at three, caned Ken Marsh 29-12 in the other game on the Eastleigh carpet while, at Christchurch, Banister Park floundered with Barry Bendall tumbling 29-14 to Nicky Jones and Danny McEwan beaten 24-9 by national outdoor singles king Martyn Sekjer.

Victory powered on 104-59 against Havant and Five Rivers overcame Dolphin 76-74.

Havant's only joy was John Mackney's win against Peter Hobday at Portsmouth but, otherwise, Victory took the honours comfortably with rink successes by Steve Robertson at home against Derek Turner and travelling skips Colin Hayward and Iain McKenzie.