BANISTER Park bowed out of the Famous Grouse Home Nations Classic with all guns blazing.

Needing to beat mighty East Dorset 13-2 to snatch Group L from the Christchurch club was mission impossible - yet they so nearly pulled it off.

The Eastleigh men scored a famous 8-7 victory by winning three of the four disciplines but a pounding in the pairs prevented them from reaching the points total they required to dislodge their star studded opponents from top spot.

East Dorset were ultimately relieved to seal their trip to Darlington for the final stages at Easter while Banister Park finished as clear runners-up after Atherley slipped to a shock 8-7 reverse against Dolphin B.

Victory will join their Hampshire Association colleagues East Dorset at Darlington after a cliffhanging climax to their Group M campaign. They wanted at least 11.5 points from their final match to snatch the title from Arun and the Portsmouth club achieved it with the last wood on the last end against Grattons.

Colin Hayward was their hero scoring that crucial three to win the fours 23-12 but more importantly, it levelled the totals at Portsmouth and grabbed a home aggregate point as Victory triumphed 12-3.