BANISTER Park and Atherley virtually sealed their return to the top sphere of the Hampshire League after 7-1 victories in Division 2 for the Trisham Trophy.

The convincing 90-62 result by Banister Park was significant because it came against third-placed Riverside, who are now nine points behind the leading pair with only three matches remaining.

Decisive home wins from Alf Smith, Ray Davis, Nat DiCristina and Keith Bridgeman (25-16 against Chris Ralph) and Martin Gay, Steve Boyce, Eric Williams and Neville Scovell (25-10 against Eddie Bates) carried Banister Park to their overall success.

At Winchester Nick Wood, George Churcher, Malcolm Comley and Brian Dibdin produced a strong finish to beat Roger Parsons 23-18 but Banister Park's hopes of a maximum were dashed when Ken Foulkes, Raj Kapur, Brian Barber and Derek Read were pipped 18-17 by Riverside's Graham Darlison.

Atherley put Havant to the sword 102-67 led by Dink Mintrum (36-10). John Wise (26-14) and Ray Sutton (21-15) gave sound backing with only Ray Wilkinson slipping to defeat, 28-19 to Arthur Hind.

In the other fixture New Milton were left holding the wooden-spoon after tumbling 7-1 (87-67) to fellow strugglers Longmeadow.

League positions: (all played 7) Banister Park 41.5, Atherley 38, Riverside 29, Havant 25, Longmeadow 23, New Milton 11.5.