LAND Registry and Wyke A pulled clear at the top of the Weymouth & District League Division One after 26-10 and 24-12 wins over Shipton Gorge A and Colliton X respectively – though they have played a game more than their nearest rivals.

The first five legs in Land Registry’s home clash with Shipton Gorge A were very competitive and all bar one went to four sets.

Terry Whitworth won his opening two legs to make it 11-8 at the halfway stage before Land Registry really stamped their authority on proceedings, claiming the five remaining legs for the loss of just two sets.

Raj Lehal and Mick Hogan scored all of Colliton X’s points in their defeat to Wyke A in Dorchester.

Lehal beat Sean Beauchamp in a four-set classic, clinching the game 17-15 in an epic fourth set.

The other match in Division One saw Red Triangle register their first success of the campaign – they beat bottom team Pilgrims A 28-11.

Given that three of the first four legs went to deciding sets, the score could well have been a lot closer.

Red Triangle pinched two of those legs through Mick Sprack-len and Tony Reed adding to Derrick Dawson’s opening-leg victory.

Budmouth B continue to lead the way in Division Two after a 26-10 triumph against Shipton Gorge B, who now sit second.

Ben Graham kept up his impressive 100 per cent winning start to the season though Graham Albertella and Derek Wheeler both took a set off him.

Wheeler and Brian Cammell recorded victories for Shipton over Graham’s dad, Daren, but were unable to prevent a convincing Budmouth win.

Preston B now occupy third place following a 25-15 defeat of Springfield A.

In a keenly-fought match, nine out of 10 legs went to four or five sets and five of the six players won legs on the night, including Ros Page and Josh Harman who claimed all three of their legs for Preston B.

In the local derby of the week, Preston A overcame their B counterparts 25-17.

Four of the legs went to five sets with the B team sneaking three of them, but it wasn’t enough to stop the A team, including an undefeated Simon Green, running out winners.

In Division Three, Pilgrims B are in third place after beating Steps, who are still looking for their first win of the season along with Wyke C.

Jay Adams grabbed his second victory of the season for Steps in a five setter against Richard Ellerby, however, Pilgrims won the other nine legs to sweep to victory.

Finally, Preston D saw off the youngsters of Budmouth E with a 25-14 scoreline.

Stan Smith was the backbone of Preston’s victory, winning his three legs, while April Heasman and Snigdha Maganti both recorded wins for Budmouth.

The experience of Smith and team-mates Malcolm Smith and Dick Cottage shone through in the end.