Three-peat seeking Eamonn Boland was catapulted to the top of the leaderboard of the Talbot Hotel Wexford Rally following today's three dramatic middle stages.

Stage 4 at Milehouse saw early leader Donal O'Donovan retired due to centrawl differential trouble. It was a cruel blow for the Corkman, but we'll definitely be hearing a lot more about this man in the years to come.

Pete Doughty took the fourth stage, one second ahead of Melvyn Evans, with Boland third, and repeated the feat in the following stage at Bola Beg, with Boland this time second.

But a horrendous sixth stage at Caim saw Doughty drop down to fourth overall after finishing almost a minute down on the Wexfordman.

Boland took full advantage to finish eleven seconds quicker than Evans, with Bob Fowden third.

So, two-thirds into day one, it's Boland who leads in his Escort World Rally Car, 24 seconds ahead of Evans, with Fowden a further 23 seconds back in third.

Stage 6 - Official

 1	 1 Eamonn Boland		Escort WRC	6:07
 2	14 Melvyn Evans			Escort Cos	6:18
 3	 5 Bob Fowden 			Escort		6:21
 4	 3 John Price			Metro 6R4	6:22
 5	10 Gary Midwinter 		Escort WRC	6:31
 6      18 Derek Smith			Escort		6:39

20	 4 Pete Doughty			Escort WRC	7:04


OVERALL - OFFICIAL  After six Special Stages
 1	 1 Eamonn Boland		Escort WRC	36:12
 2	14 Melvyn Evans			Escort Cos	36:36
 3	 5 Bob Fowden 			Escort		36:59
 4	 4 Pete Doughty			Escort WRC	37:01
 5	 3 John Price			Metro 6R4	37:10
 6	10 Gary Midwinter 		Escort WRC	38:18
 7      18 Derek Smith			Escort		38:20
 8	11 Ray Breen			Escort WRC	38:28
 9	 8 Chris Wood			Metro 6R4	38:33
10	20 John Treacy			Escort		38:52