A THRILLING finish to the Famous Grouse Home Nations Top Ten Classic Group N is guaranteed after Dorchester inflicted the first defeat of the season on title favourites East Dorset.

The Christchurch club went into the match as slender leaders of the section and a handsome win would virtually have ensured their place in the next phase - and been a mighty blow to Dorchester's chances.

However, Dorchester rose to the challenge in great style to register a memorable 9-6 (68-65) triumph. This result plus Moonfleet 2000's 11-4 success over Isle of Purbeck means East Dorset have been dethroned from pole position and Moonfleet are back on top.

The group is now wide open among the leading four - only two of whom can go through. Points: Moonfleet 48, East Dorset 47, Dorchester 45, Bournemouth 45. Bournemouth are very much the outsiders as they have played five matches - one more than other three.

More spice is added to the intrigue by the fact that Moonfleet face Dorchester and East Dorset in their last two matches. Dorchester's final game is against Bournemouth while East Dorset's other opponents are lowly Dolphin B.

East Dorset's Adam Tidby enjoyed a victorious return to his former club but though having personal satisfaction at winning the triples, the biggest smiles were from the Dorchester bowlers after their slender overall verdict.

Jamie Lockwood and Steve Gait (pairs) at home and Stacey Dickinson (singles) at Christchurch were the Dorchester heroes.

The expertise of skip Gait proved decisive against Commonwealth Games silver medallist Dean Morgan and England triallist Kevin Cousins. Ahead 11-7 at 10 ends, Dorchester were pegged back to

11-11 two ends later but then took five of the last six ends played within the three-hour time allowance to triumph 19-12.

Tidby, skipping Alan Geary and Bill Ward, replied by capturing the triples 18-16 against Frank Gwatkin, Peter Clarke and Doug Rumble.

At 13 ends Rumble led 14-8 only for Tidby to turn the match on the next end when with his final delivery he turned one down to an East Dorset four.

Rumble compounded matters by conceding another four on the following end as East Dorset eased 16-14 ahead. Dorchester went into the last end 18-15 adrift but were holding three shots in a good

position until Tidby, fresh from his England trial the previous day, calmly rolled in for second

wood to seal an 18-16 East Dorset win.

Dickinson preserved his 100 per cent singles record in this season's Grouse matches with a fine 21-18 defeat of Peter Ward. Dickinson raced 11-3 up but international Ward fought back to go 18-17 ahead only for Dickinson to respond by trailing the jack for a three on the next end and then scoring the match-winning single.

Although beaten, the Dorchester rink of Martin Pavey, Alan Curtis, Colin Gifford and Paul Boundy played a crucial role in the overall result by hitting back from 15-3 down to lose just 17-12 to national outdoor singles' champion Martyn Sekjer.

The top two in the group qualify for the play-off stage. The Group N winners face the runners-up from Group L (Hampshire) and the Group N runners-up tackle the Group M winners - which looks certain to be mighty Exonia.

The play-off winners go to the national stages at Darlington over Easter when £10,500 in prize money will be at stake.