PETER WARD stayed on course for Worthing in all four main disciplines by winning his latest singles and triples matches in the Hampshire championships.

After beating Atherley's Chris Wise 21-16 in the third round of the singles, the Sports Centre skip joined forces with Iain Bunday and Colin Thresher for an 18-11 triples victory over club colleagues Smith, Joslin and Prior.

Other fourth round Central area triples results: S Hayes, D Marshall, D Bannon (Eastleigh Rail) 19 R Alford, R Smith, C Windess (Sports Centre) 18; I Nutburn, M Lawson, P Gange (Atherley) 14 R Shelley, J Keat, M Sekjer (Sports Centre) 17; P Arnold, D Young, G Doig (Winchester C&C) 28 D White, C Swift, T Branton (Hyde Abbey) 9.

Reigning champions Ringwood suffered their first defeat of the New Forest League season when beaten 6-2 (73-62) by Brockenhurst who moved to within 2.5 points of the leaders. Results:

NEW FOREST MEN'S BOWLS LEAGUE

Division 1: Braeside 90 (8) New Milton 57 (0), Downton 92 (8) Iford Bridge 53 (0), Lymington 82 (7) Waterside 56 (1), Ringwood 62 (2) Brockenhurst 73 (6).

Division 2: Christchurch 76 (8) Verwood 50 (0), Fordingbridge 82 (7) Lyndhurst 51 (1), Milford 66 (7) Highcliffe 62 (1), New Milton 73 (2) Braeside 75 (6).

Division 3: Brockenhurst 72 (8) Ringwood 62 (0), Fordingbridge 65 (1) Lymington 74 (7), New Milton 56 (1) Christchurch 60 (7), Totton and Eling 83 (7) Iford Bridge 46 (1).

Division 4: Braeside B 61 (1) New Milton C 72 (6), Downton 58 (2) Milford 59 (6), Lymington 74 (7) Waterside 57 (1), New Milton D 96 (7) Braeside C 63 (1).

Division 5: Highcliffe A 86 (7) Totton and Eling 61 (1), Christchurch 62 (2) Lyndhurst 74 (6), Verwood 75 (6) Fordingbridge 72 (2), Ringwood 85 (8) Highcliffe B 54 (0).