RIVERSIDE go into their Hampshire League Division 2 clash against Chawton Park on Saturday with a new spring in their step after recording their first maximum for almost two years.

Not since they won promotion early in 2002 have the Winchester club recorded an 8-0 success, but that is what they managed in a 106-54 victory against New Milton.

Just before Christmas New Milton, last season's wooden-spoonists, were being touted as surprise promotion candidates but their hopes are waning after two defeats.

Yet, halfway through this latest match, New Milton had high hopes of winning. They led 35-33, being ahead on two rinks with another level, until a remarkable second-half display from Riverside turned a tight contest into a romp.

At New Milton Riverside took both games 26-13. John Maskell, Ron Snook, Roger Parsons and Graham Darlison led 8-7 at ten ends but six shots on the 12th and 13th ends put them in command, followed by a five on the 17th, against Mike Cox.

Roy Evans, Steve Boyce, Ty Gadd and Eddie Bates trailed 11-7 at nine ends before taking the next eight to sprint 23-11 ahead against Ken Frost.

At Winchester Rod Prew, Ken Mason, Cec Lawson and Chris Ralph were 13-9 down after 14 ends but then blitzed Bob Shepperdley with 14 shots without reply over the next five to win 25-14.

On the other rink a five sent Chris Tabor 13-9 in front on the 12th and his New Milton rink were still 14-11 up at the 14th. Yet after that they did not score again as Micky Byrnes, Reg Wheavil, John Lind and George Doig ran riot scoring a five and four on successive ends as they triumphed 29-14.

East Dorset extended their lead at the top 7-1 (89-63) against Havant whose late fade-out means they have now been cut adrift in last place. Derek Turner (18-16 at home to Mike Grimsdale) gained the Havant consolation after trailing for most of the match.

Alongside, Barry Harman dropped a last-end four in his 24-19 defeat by Bob Sprules while at Christchurch Alan Sprake conceded six shots on his final two ends when beaten 23-13 by Alan Doughty and likewise Glyn Jones gave away a late five and two on his last two ends as he tumbled 26-13 to Bernie Vallis.

Loddon Vale kept their promotion hopes alive with a 5-3 victory over second-placed Chawton Park after the score finished 81-81 on shots. Mark Rivoira's rink were gifted a final-end five that not only sealed his 23-17 home win against David Sims but also gave the Basingstoke men their overall draw.

Pat Smith (21-19 ag-ainst John Fensom) completed a home double for Vale with Peter Tarbutt (22-19 against Derek Turner) continuing Vale's success at Alton. However, Chawton Park levelled with their solitary rink win, the biggest of the day, from John Kellow (26-15 against Trevor Morgan).

Results: Havant 1 (63) East Dorset 7 (89), Chawton Park 3 (81) Loddon Vale 5 (81), New Milton 0 (54) Riverside 8 (106). Points: (all played seven) East Dorset 43, Chawton Park 37, Loddon Vale 29, New Milton 23, Riverside 21, Havant 11.

Next fixtures: (Saturday, January 31) Loddon Vale v East Dorset, Chawton Park v Riverside, New Milton v Havant.