Mark Plummer broke the Meyrick Park course record on the opening day of the Bournemouth Festival with a six-under-par 63.

He even dropped a shot in each half but made birdies at the second and ninth holes and an eagle at the sixth to be out in three-under 31. Further birdies at the 10th, 14th, 16th and 18th completed an impressive round.

He followed with a one-over-par at Knighton Heath to take a one-shot lead into the final round at Dudsbury. But he slumped to 74 and slipped back into a share of sixth.

West Region captain Neil Holman (Torbay Driving Range) was four shots off the pace but burst from the pack with a closing five-under 66 at Dudsbury to snatch a share of first place with home touring player Lee Thompson.

Bournemouth Festival at Meyrick Park (par 69), Knighton Heath (par 70) and Dudsbury (par 71) 204 -6 Neil Holman (Torbay) 70 68 66, Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) 68 67 69 £768 each 205 Paul Jones (Canford Magna) 68 69 68 £542 206 David Miles (Meyrick Park) 67 69 70, Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury) 69 71 66 £384 208 Mark Plummer (Golf Mania), 63 71 74, Chris Gill (Hele Park) 68 73 67 £294 209 Kevin Spurgeon (Ferndown) 73 70 66, Neil Reilly (Surbiton) 73 69 67, Martin Stimson (Milford Haven) 70 71 68 £188 Team: 1 368 -52 (24 117 127) Steve Richardson (Quindell, £200), Peter Price, Paul Baxter, Martin Rudderham, 2 372 -48 (121 126 125) Mark Plummer (Golf Mania, £166), Nick Govier (St Mellion), Andy Westcott, Jeremy Cook (both Exeter), 3 378 -42 (126 131 121), Andrew Britton (Meyrick Park, £133), Paul Tompkins, Mike Grace, Paul Webber, 4 380 Paul Jones (Canford Magna), Steve Bennett, Paul Torrible, Paul Lovesey (Broadstone), 5 383 Andy Herridge (Weatherby), 6 385 Graham Laing (North Wilts), Ray Banfield, Colin Wayman, Paul Hill (all Exeter).