PETER KEMP has put his name into the frame to become Hampshire's first Middleton Cup manager.

The retired policeman needs no introduction to Middleton Cup bowls having been been the county's chairman of selectors for nine years until resigning after Hampshire's first defeat of the season by Oxfordshire at the beginning of June.

Kemp became increasingly frustrated at not being allowed to field the team of his choosing as his was only one vote on a five-man panel, the other four members being the Hampshire divisional representatives.

"As chairman of selectors I put an enormous amount of time and effort into the job.

"The person who becomes team manager will have to do likewise, but if there is anyone who is prepared to give more time and dedication than myself, then I would willing step aside," said the Atherley member, who lives at New Milton.

Although Kemp is the first definite runner, three others have expressed an interest, according to county secretary Barry Melsom.

Derek Collins knows all about county bowls. The Gosport bowler was Hampshire's Liberty Trophy boss in the 1990s and was recently brought back into the management team under new Liberty supremo, Julian Haines.

Alan Lewis is the county's eastern divisional representative, while, from the western area, former Middleton Cup player Graham Eyers from the Bournemouth club Argyll has shown an interest.

Collins, Lewis and Eyers have until September 8 to apply officially. But two men who won't be putting their names forward are Peter Line and new Liberty boss Haines.

Line guided Hampshire to the Liberty Trophy final in his first two seasons at the helm, but the Atherley maestro, who has been playing in the Bournemouth Open tournament this week, has ruled himself out of a quick return to management having stepped down as the indoor side's boss earlier this year.

Line stressed: "No, I definitely won't be applying. I have done my bit for the county indoors and took that side as far as I could go - now it's time to leave trying to win more county honours to someone else."

What with his indoor commitment to the county and his position as an England outdoor selector, Haines from the Boscombe Cliff club feels he would not have the time to devote to the Middleton Cup post.