PALMERSTON won a Vivienne Trophy thriller 80-79 against Arun to set up a third-round derby date with old enemy Victory on December 12.

A rattling 32-19 home win by Alma Chittenden, June Weale, Janet Chinn and Janet Mudd was the cornerstone of Palmerston's triumph. Mudd led from the start and, though dropping a four and two near halfway, her rink quickly regained control against Sonia Heil.

They were backed at Fareham by Jean Evans beating Pat Terry 16-13 while, at Bognor Regis, Rita Grant continued the Palmerston success story and included a six in her 24-19 result against Ann Greenfield.

Although Arun gained the biggest rink win of the day when Margaret Schofield defeated Angela Guilbaud 28-8, Palmerston survived the scare of dropping two shots on the final end of the match to squeeze through - and they had the advantage of Mudd having won the extra end had the scores finished level.

Victory had an even tighter contest, pipping Five Rivers on an extra end after the teams had ended all square on 80-80 - curiously with all four rinks being decided by three shots.

Bunty Rumbold (25-22 against Marion Menzies) and Ena North (21-18 against Rose Ellis) did their bit for Victory but Five Rivers responded through Janice Senner (21-18 against Marianne Unwin) and Margaret Annetts (19-16 against Tricia Hampson).

Hampshire Mini-League: Atherley 45 Palmerston 13, Banister Park 45 Loddon Vale 19.