ATHERLEY'S quest to become English indoor club champions was halted by Wey Valley's Young stars in a 78-68 defeat in the sixth round of the Canada Life Denny Cup.

Although Atherley won overall in Surrey and took one of the contests at Hill Lane, they were undermined by the 29-12 home defeat suffered by Colin Thresher's rink against Chris Young.

Young came fresh from playing in the Potters Holidays World Singles Champion-ship in Norfolk and the 22-year-old skip gave an inspirational performance.

Atherley's sluggish start did not help their cause and they were 24-9 adrift at five ends.

Their hopes grew when they trailed just 54-49 following the 15th but the revival petered out after Thresher and Peter Ward dropped threes on their 20th ends.

Atherley's best performance came at Wey Valley where Richard Shelley wiped out a 9-7 deficit at ten ends to defeat Paul Vamvacopoulos 18-15. Billy Groves, 5-1 down after five ends, led by one shot at halfway and was all square at 11-11 before losing a tight game 17-15 to Wey Valley's John Kenton.

Wey Valley won the national under-25 double rink title last winter - and it showed as Young's quartet shook Atherley's most consistent rink in Southampton.

Ward overcame arrears of 6-2 following the fifth end to win by six over Andy Hatto.

Scores - (Atherley rinks, Wey Valley skips only), at Atherley: Steve Cleverley, Barry Littlewood, Steve Spreadbury, skip Peter Ward 23 Andy Hatto 17; Larry Collins, Dave Edmonds, Brian Buckle, skip Colin Thresher 12 Chris Young 29.

At Wey Valley: John Barter, Dennis Durrant, Ray Wilkinson, skip Billy Groves15 John Kenton 17; Dave Bishop, Mick Barrett, Dave Archibald, skip Richard Shelley 18 Paul Vamvacopoulos 15.

* Victory slumped out to Cambridge Park after a disastrous 20th end when they dropped 14 shots on three rinks. Adrian Ash conceded six shots and Colin Hayward and Steve Robertson both gave away fours in Victory's 74-72 defeat.