ATHERLEY head Hampshire Division 2 following their win against New Milton - and previous leaders Loddon Vale's defeat by a resurgent Havant.

Bottom after two matches, Havant are now in the promotion picture after toppling Loddon Vale 7-1 (83-69).

Barry Harman made it four wins out of four on his rink this season, racing 11-0 up after three ends in a 27-16 victory against Denny Morgan at Havant.

Gareth Davies completed a Havant home double taming Phil Spreadbury 21-13, while at Basingstoke Derek Turner recovered from dropping a seven to pip Vale's Peter Tarbutt 20-19.

Vale replied through Brian McCoombs (21-15 against Eddie Kingswell).

League newcomer Alan Gauld, a double Worthing qualifier in his outdoor days with Desborough, slotted in well for Dave Archibald as Atherley defeated New Milton 6-2 (83-77). Archibald - 18-5 up at ten ends - squeezed in 28-25 at Hill Lane where the companion rink of Peter Rathband won 25-13 against Mike Cox.

The tables were turned at New Milton where the hosts' Peter Wooller beat Mark Badger 20-14 and Bob Shepperdley sank John Armstrong 19-16.

Riverside shook up the promotion race after a 7-1 (89-72) success against Longmeadow, whose consolation was a 29-13 win by outstanding lead Dave Sims, Ron Birch, Brian Hillard and Graham Hiller against George Doig at Winchester.

That was balanced at Longmeadow where Ty Gadd's Riverside rink thrashed Alan Willats 28-12. Eddie Bates (17-14 against Fred Judd) completed an away-day double for Riverside men who collected their third rink victory through Chris Ralph (31-17 v Norman Hillier).