ATHERLEY produced the mother of all recoveries to snatch an astonishing Egham Trophy win over old adversaries Victory.

After 18 ends, the match seemed all over with Victory 76-47 ahead but, in a fairytale finale, Atherley scored 30 shots without reply to squeeze through to the second round 77-76.

Atherley indoor secretary Gwyn Guy could hardly believe it. He said: "I have been involved with bowls for 54 years and this was the most amazing finish I have ever seen. We were dead and buried but then Victory relaxed and you can't ever do that."

Peter Line's rink led the late Atherley charge with 12 shots from his last three ends at Portsmouth.

They were backed by Atherley's other travelling rink, skipped by Dave Archibald, who took their final three 7-0. And in the closing three ends at Southampton Mick Barrett chalked up eight shots and Denny Graydon picked up three.

Barrett's men sealed a famous success on the last end of the match when his brother Jim drew the shot and Victory skip Iain McKenzie touched the jack but couldn't move it with his final wood.

Skips' scores: (Atherley first) Line 25 Charlie Bailey 19; Archibald 18 Dave Biggs 25; Graydon 13 Colin Hayward 16; Mick Barrett 21 Iain McKenzie 16.

An outstanding 39-13 triumph by Ken Marsh over Bill Gourlay guided Banister Park through 90-83 against Five Rivers. Barry Bendall (22-16 v Bob Tanner) gave Banister their second rink win, but Five Rivers took the other two through Ron Oakes (26-14 v John Joslin) and Dennis Shipp (28-15 v Danny McEwan).

Barry Harman's 38-15 romp was the key to Havant's 94-82 win over River-side. Derek Turner (25-19 v Chris Doig) gave support with Riverside hitting back through Simon Doig (22-18 v Alan Sprake) and Pauline Clearly (26-13 v Spencer Lloyd).

Loddon Vale lost on all four rinks as they lost 83-59 to Chawton Park.

Skips' scores: (Vale first) Clive Lewis 10 M Sallis 25; Mick Tooth 14 J Fensom 20; Doug Morgan 19 D Sims 20; Robbie Voller 16 B Plumpton 18.

Isle of Wight put up a brave show before falling 77-70 to Arun.

Skips' scores: (Isle of Wight first) F Rylands 15 C Knight 22; P Furmidge 16 M Bonnor 22; P Proud 18 A Catteson 19; R Jemson 21 F Armstrong 14.

Big surprise in the other half of Zone 14 was the 76-74 defeat of East Dorset by Dolphin.

Second round (December 9): Atherley v Havant, Arun v Banister Park, Dolphin v Stour Vale, Moonfleet v Bournemouth.