14 May. This defeat for near challengers Bournemouth A means Highcliffe A are almost assured of playing in the top flight next season. But the result does leave Wimborne C with an outside chance. Bournemouth deserve credit for competing especially well both this season and last, coming close to promotion themselves. In this match Kenny Harman, Peter Donaldson and Richard Perrin all won. Paul Jackson (Bournemouth) played commendably to defend soundly and draw in a difficult queen and bishop ending with a pawn down. Martin Clancy (Ringwood) thought his opponent “defended with grit”. Ringwood had the higher grades by an average of 25 grading points a board. They will look back on a fluctuating season, mixed with some good wins. but the loss away to an emerging Highcliffe team was a crucial result and seemed to dash their promotion prospects