ATHERLEY and Palmerston are on collision course in the Rymans Denny Cup after contrasting third-round victories.

In the words of Atherley's Ray Wilkinson, the Southampton club overcame Worthing by "the width of a fag paper" on an extra end but Palmerston sailed through 100-72 against Longmeadow. They now meet on Saturday, November 27.

It was all square on 78-78 at 21 ends for Atherley after wins by Denny Graydon (25-16) and Mick Barrett (28-17) at Hill Lane were cancelled out by defeats for Iain Bunday (19-15) and Steve Henry (26-10) in Sussex.

Bunday's rink were elected for the sudden-death end and ultimately it was the umpire's measure that decided the issue in Atherley's favour by a fraction of an inch - after both sides thought the other had won it before the tape was applied!

Palmerston are on the crest of a wave as they have never reached the fourth round before. A dashing 38-8 home win for Roy Reader against Graham Hillier and a 22-16 verdict for Eric Brierley at Fareham proved the key - yet the highlight was the 23-21 verdict of Martin Ellis, Derek Arnold, Barry Stafford and skip Andy McKain against Longmeadow international Graham Standley at Whitchurch.

Longmeadow's consolation was the 27-17 home success of Andy Ross against Tony Grant.

Palmerston continued in the same vein with a winning debut in the Drake and Fletcher Honda (Ashford) Top Ten Classic when they eclipsed Bournemouth 11-4 (71-57).

Russell Gadd (singles, 21-14 against Chris Daniels) and Bill Jackson, Andrew Miller, Eric Brierley and Neil O'Donovan (fours, 19-8 against Ray Rankine) shone at Fareham with Ian Chittenden, Stafford and McKain (triples, 16-14 against Paul Turner) keeping up the good work at Bournemouth.

Palmerston's only setback was the pairs, where Brian Morgan and Tony Grant lost 21-15 to Roy Leake and Mike Beales.

In Group 8's other match, East Dorset beat Dolphin 13-2. Arun v Victory was postponed.

Palmerston meet Victory in their second fixture on Sunday, November 28.