ATHERLEY failed to win a rink as they crashed out of the Denny Cup to old adversaries Victory.

Fielding a side minus Liberty Trophy pair Colin Thresher and John Barter, who were both unavailable, Atherley were humbled 92-61, leaving secretary Gwyn Guy to lament: "It was a bitterly disappointing display."

On the other hand, Victory team manager Derek Collins was all smiles and looking forward to a fourth-round tussle with Arun, who came from behind to upset Longmeadow 83-77.

"I don't want to single anyone out - it was a very satisfying all-round team display," he said.

Atherley were always fighting a losing battle. Although behind by nine shots at five ends and adrift 43-31 after ten, they were still in touch.

But in a disastrous third segment of the match, they allowed Victory to storm 70-47 ahead by the 15th end.

Peter Ward's rink suffered most on their home carpet. The Atherley foursome led 11-4 at eight ends but then didn't score for the next eight and slumped 17-11 down before falling 26-14 to Colin Hayward.

In the absence of Thresher, Denny Graydon was switched to skip and his rink forced a home draw against Darren Griffith.

Rink scores: (Atherley first) At Atherley: Larry Collins, Dink Mintrum, Dave Edmonds, Denny Graydon 17 Dave Deacon, Mick Brown, Iain McKenzie, Darren Griffith 17; Keith Cole, Barry Littlewood, Steve Spreadbury, Peter Ward 14 Peter Sullivan, Adrian Ash, Dave Biggs, Colin Hayward 26;

At Portsmouth: Steve Henry, Iain Bunday, Peter Line, Richard Shelley 17 Barry Starks, Len Reeves, Charlie Bailey, Dorian Bishop 30; Dave Bishop, Mick Barrett, Ray Wilkinson, Billy Groves 13 Matthew Marchant, Steve Robertson, Gary Starks, Peter Hobday 19.

Longmeadow would be shaping up to Victory on Saturday, November 24, had they not let the match slip away in the final three ends against their Bognor Regis opponents.

Following the 18th, Longmeadow were 71-63 up but, with Andy Ross and Ian Hayward both dropping fives, Arun took control.

Rink scores: (Longmeadow first): At Longmeadow: Andy Ross 18 F Armstrong 23; Graham Standley 16 A Catterson 15.

At Bognor: Rodney Rosier 18 C Knight 22; Ian Hayward 25 M Bonner 23.