PALMERSTON gave further evidence of their growing strength in south coast bowls by reaching the third round of the Yetton Trophy with a splendid win against Arun.

The Sussex club had knocked out mighty Victory, but they were outgunned 85-72 by an inspired Palmerston team who triumphed on all four rinks.

"I was hoping to win by a couple of shots but to go through by 13 and to win on all four rinks was a marvellous performance - I can't really believe it," said delighted Palmerston ladies' captain, Janet Mudd.

"We have never gone this far in the competition but our secret is teamwork. Although there are four rinks, we play as a team not as individuals - as Arun discovered!" she added.

During their short history, the Fareham club had been regular first-round casualties in this national ladies' club championship, yet now they have booked a date with Atherley in the zone 14 semi-final on Thursday, January 11. Atherley beat Five Rivers 81-74 in a nail-biter.

Four shots was the biggest margin of victory in Palmerston's match.

Behind by a single shot overall at five ends, they led at halfway and moved 58-48 ahead at 15 before extending their lead over the tense closing stages.

Playing at Fareham, Val Cooper's quartet went 14-8 up at 10 ends and kept their concentration to overcome former international Wendy Adams, while the other Palmerston home rink, skipped by Joyce Bradlaugh, trailed 18-13 at 18 ends until scoring a magical six in their 22-18 success.

In the away rinks - held at Victory as Arun's green is closed through storm damage - Ellie Mundy built an 18-8 advantage after 15 ends and doggedly held on to it. Ann Broadhurst's quartet battled to a four-shot verdict having been level 14-14 with Mavis Butler at 15 ends.

Scores (Palmerston rinks, Arun skips only) - at Palmerston: Pat Rye, Kath Etherton, Sandy Moyse, skip Val Cooper 20 Wendy Adams 17; Jill Cook, Barbara Hall, Lynn Grinaway, skip Joyce Bradlaugh 22 Pat Terry 18;

At Victory: Joyce Brookes, Marge Kirman, Judie Yarrow, skip Ellie Mundy 19 Frances Ireland 17; Daphne Walton, Janet Mudd, Rita Grant, skip Ann Broadhurst 24 Mavis Butler 20.

A stirring revival from Wendy Line and a second-half sprint by Marion Collins proved the cornerstone of Atherley's victory against a Five Rivers side minus injured skip Joan Driver.

Down 6-1 at five ends, the Line foursome surged 15-6 ahead by the 10th on their way to a six-shot win while Collins and co clocked up a 30-12 result after being just 10-7 in front at halfway.

Although Jenny McAusland had a tough time at Salisbury, Atherley took the other contest there with Pat Sutton leading narrowly throughout against Pat Sharp.

Scores (Atherley rinks, Five Rivers skips only) - at Atherley: Anne Pearce, Jan Yeo, Christine Lee, skip Wendy Line 20 Sue Frost 14;

Ann Littlewood, Josie Munday, Mo Hawkins, Marion Collins 30 Maureen Gourlay 12;

At Five Rivers: Jean Arnaud, Jackie Mainwaring, Pat Hanvey, skip Jenny McAusland 11 Joan Hall 31; Ella Dibble, Patricia Rowe, Jean Terrell, skip Pat Sutton 20 Pat Sharp 17.