FLEMING Park are champions of the Southampton and District BA for the first time since 1982 - and no one is more surprised than they are!

Despite holding top spot after finishing their fixtures, they did not expect to stay there as closest challengers Sports Centre and 2003 title-holders Banister Park both had matches in hand that could carry them to the crown.

The big factor in Fleming's favour was that Sports Centre and Banister Park had to play each other twice and, if each side won one of those matches, they could cut each other's throats and leave Fleming Park at the summit.

And that is exactly what happened. Sports Centre had three fixtures remaining and, as well as whitewashing relegated Woolston 8-0 (97-60), they overcame Banister Park 7- (82-60).

Those results meant that the title was at Sports Centre's mercy - they needed only three points from their final fixture to become champions. But Banister Park turned the tables and scored a 6-2 (88-63) victory. Sports Centre finished runners-up with Banister Park third.

Fleming Park skip and Middleton Cup regular Denny Graydon summed up the unexpected elation at the Eastleigh club.

"After Sports Centre beat Banister, I never thought we would win it but then I heard Sports Centre's final result - it's the first time Banister Park have ever done us a favour!" he said.

Having also won Combination 2 and finished third in the Hampshire Club Championship, it has been a memorable campaign for Fleming Park and their president and secretary Ken Mason.

Graydon has been a regular skip alongside Russell Kemp, Andy Anderson and Alan Forrest, while George Doig and son Simon Doig have also stepped into the skip's roles when required.

One definite plus for Fleming Park has been the form of Mick Hood, who moved up from two to the number three berth with great credit in the Forrest rink.

Alan Forrest's 15-year-old son, Alan junior, has shone at lead after being drafted in for the last few games. The teenager showed his ability during the Weymouth and Portland Open by reaching the final of the under-18 singles.

Playing at the Greenhill club, Weymouth, Forrest built a 9-2 lead helped by a three on the eighth end when he trailed the jack after 17-year-old Ben Paulley (Wimborne) had been holding.

However, Paulley, who had won the title for the past two seasons, recovered to score a 22-13 triumph. In the semi-final Forrest had beaten Andrew Voss (Dorchester) 21-17.

Fleming Park expect to be stronger next season as Ray Long and Stuart Martin are among a batch of Eastleigh Rail bowlers who are joining them.

Parkside's promotion ahead of Brockenhurst on shots average means there will be two artificial surfaces in S&D Championship 1 next summer.

Climbing into Championship 2 are County, who took the Championship 3 laurels with a 7- (78-68) victory against Hyde Abbey to pip BTC by a point.