RUSHMOOR are the new leaders of Hampshire League Division 1 following their 6-2 triumph over Victory and the shock defeat of previous leaders Atherley by Riverside.

With impressive wins in their opening two matches against Palmerston and reigning champions East Dorset, Atherley began confident of a hat-trick but they were outgunned 6-2 (85-82) by Riverside who were gaining their first win since since being promoted last season.

Riverside might even have collected seven points but for Micky Barrett clawing back a rink for Atherley with a last-end six which gave him a 20-17 success against Simon Doig at Winchester.

Chris Ralph took the other rink for Riverside on his home carpet 24-20 against Mick Spreadbury whose recovery after a sluggish start came too late to retrieve the deficit.

At Hill Lane Eddie Bates gave Riverside their second rink win with a 22-17 verdict and it was his last-end three against Eddie Rowe that clinched Riverside's overall victory.

Peter Line, with 11-year-old Thomas Bishop at lead, secured an Atherley victory 25-22 after leading narrowly throughout against George Doig.

Rushmoor's strength on their own carpet proved decisive as last season's Division 2 kings overcame a Victory side whose top bowlers were involved in Denny Cup action. Score on shots was 77-71.

Terry Cuming (23-7 against Alan Jones) and Leo May (24-16 against Tom Pullin) landed maximum points at Farnborough and outweighed the defeats of Paul May (25-17 by Ian Purton) and Colin Moore (23-13 by Nick Fairall) at Portsmouth.

Like Victory, East Dorset were equally understrength because of the Denny Cup but the Christchurch club still fought off Palmerston 7-1, though the shots margin was just 88-85.

Although Roy Reader (31-9 against Bob Sprules) gave Palmerston the biggest rink win of the match, the Fareham side buckled through the defeats handed out to Tony Grant (26-18 against John Plomer), Eric Hopgood (30-21 against Mike Grimsdale) and Chris Hay (23-15 against Chris Eames). Results:

Division 1: East Dorset 88 (7) Palmerston 85 (1), Victory 71 (2) Rushmoor 77 (6), Atherley 82 (2) Riverside 85 (6). Points: (all played three) Rushmoor 18, Atherley 17, East Dorset 14, Victory 10, Riverside 9, Palmerston 3.

Next fixtures are this Saturday (Nov 30): East Dorset v Rushmoor, Palmerston v Riverside, Victory v Atherley.

Atherley and Victory have their own private test series this weekend. On Saturday they meet in both the Hampshire League and the London and Southern Counties Shield while on Sunday morning they cross swords again in the LSC single rink competition at Portsmouth.