HAMPSHIRE enter the final phase of their Middleton Cup preparation on Sunday against Dorset with a ringing endorsement from new county manager Rod Rosier.

The boss admitted he was "proud and delighted" with the first match under his stewardship as Hampshire slammed a full-strength Wiltshire side 19-3 (119-103) at Wootton Bassett, near Swindon.

This green has been a graveyard for Hampshire in recent years where they have suffered two Middleton Cup quarter-final disasters, but it was a different story on this occasion even though this was only a friendly.

Hampshire won four and drew another of the six rinks which had former county skip Rosier purring: "The atmosphere and the quality of our bowls were such that I was proud to be their team manager."

"There was such enthusiasm too that I was not only delighted but desperate to get out there with them! I just hope we can play as well against Dorset and in the Middleton Cup campaign next month."

Sunday is a busy day for Hampshire who not only have the friendly but are off to Oxford to tackle Oxfordshire in the Top Rink Championship and have their juniors, managed by Eddie Rowe, playing in the under-25 double rink championship at Wembley.

Clive Lewis will travel with the Top Rink of Dean Morgan, Mark Hammond, Paul May and Leo May while Peter Shearing will oversee things at Atherley.

Colin Hayward hopes to be fit for the opening cup opener though the CS Portsmouth skip missed the Wiltshire game and will again be absent from Sunday's action because of a shoulder complaint.

HAMPSHIRE rinks to play against Dorset at Atherley on Sunday (2pm):

Bill Taws (Civil Service Portsmouth), Mick Brown (Milton Park), Chris Daniels (Boscombe Cliff), Richard Shelley (Sports Centre);

Ian Churchman (Aldershot Traction), Bill Belcher (Bournemouth), Steve Robertson (Southsea Waverley), Jim Marsland (Aldershot Traction);

Kevin Philip (Aldershot Traction), Terry Vosper (Kingsclere), Chris Cranham (Pyestock), Colin Thresher (Sports Centre);

Alan Geary (Boscombe Cliff), Darren Clark (Bournemouth), Iain Mackenzie (Southsea Waverley), Denny Graydon (Fleming Park);

Iain Bunday (Sports Centre), David Oakes (Kingsclere), Chris Martin, Nicky Jones (both Boscombe Cliff);

Graham Hillier (Old Basing), Gary Starks (Southsea Waverley), Barry Bendall (Banister Park), Charlie Bailey (Fareham).

Rink scores against Wiltshire: Jim Marsland won 20-12; Denny Graydon won 21-20; Leo May won 22-14; Paul May drew 19-19, Nicky Jones lost 20-14; Charlie Bailey won 23-18.