SKIP Neil O'Donovan and Russell Gadd repeated their Hampshire pairs triumph of 2001 by beating Peter and Mark Hammond 27-17.

Hammond brooded in a corner over a pint following his singles disappointment, wondering just how it had all gone wrong, but the smile was back on his face as he returned to the green an hour later alongside his dad.

The father and son duo were quickly on the receiving end, however, as their Palmerston opponents raced 11-1 up after six ends. Then the Hammonds launched a Standley-style comeback and were back in the game at only 14-12 adrift after 14 ends.

Although Gadd and O'Donovan regained control with a four and two to lead 20-12 two ends later, Banister Park responded immediately with a five before another seven-shot burst from the next three ends settled matters for Gadd and O'Donovan who had been triples' champions a year ago with Bill Jackson.

The day produced a hat-trick of the wrong kind for Banister Park and county president Bob Kirton from the Eastleigh club since they lost the over-60s' two-wood triples final as well when John Nix, Nat DiCristina and Barry Bendall (subbing for Dennis Stockwell) fell 19-17 to the 2004 winners Kevin White, Cyril Bransky and Bill Ward of East Dorset.

East Dorset have a stranglehold on this trophy as they have won it four years on the trot through a variety of bowlers - and Ward's men are determined to make it five and complete their own treble in 12 months' time.

A tight contest could have gone either way, with Banister Park ahead narrowly for much of the game until they dropped successive and crucial threes plus a single which meant their 14-12 lead on the 16th became a 19-14 deficit by the 19th end.