HAMPSHIRE may have a new identity as the Hawks but that could not disguise the old failings as they plunged to a seven-wicket mauling by Warwickshire Bears after a 128-run part-nership between David Hemp (72) and Trevor Penney (55).

It was almost as if Hawks had forgotten all the virtues that got them into the CGU National League last season. Many more performances like this and the dreaded R word will be heard around The County Ground as all the tacky, bad habits of two years ago raised their heads.

Once again, Hawks remembered how to toss away a good batting position and then how to bowl like drains to hand the Bears their first 1999 win in any type of cricket.

Having unexpectedly opted to bat Hawks made a solid start with Adie Aymes and Will Kendall joining in a 52-run stand for the fourth wicket in 12 overs when Aymes slashed Ed Giddins to Hemp at point. The collapse that followed saw Hawks lose five wickets for 12 runs in six overs.

They never recovered and slumped from 134-3 in 33 overs to 168 all out Neil Smith bowled a miserly spell of 1-15 in six overs while Ashley Giles's slow left-arm claimed 4-29. Alex Morris and Derek Kenway were trapped by Giles and Smith respectively playing unwise reverse sweeps.

If the Hawks batting was poor, their bowling was a horror story.Simon Renshaw's bowling of Anurag Singh second ball was the falsest of dawns as they struggled to find any line and length.

Hemp first found Smith a willing and able partner as they added 40 for the second wicket in seven sprightly overs but he and Penney then dismantled the Hawks bowling - when they could lay a bat on it.

Hampshire delivered 21 wides, nine of them by Nixon McLean who had a wretched afternoon, completed when-he was denied Penney's wicket when Morris grassed an easy chance at long-leg with the Bears' man on 35.

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