DESPITE finishing their programme with a resounding 147-97 victory Hampshire failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Middleton Cup.

John Plomer's men did not get the 22-point maximum they set out to achieve against the Isle of Wight but in the event not even a full house would have enabled them to overhaul Oxfordshire at the top of the group.

Twelve months ago Hampshire needed a miracle to go through and they got it when Oxfordshire slumped to defeat in their final match. But a year on lightning never looked like striking twice as Oxfordshire marched on with a 20-2 (134-103) triumph over Middlesex after leading throughout at Banbury.

As far as Hampshire were concerned the damage was done in their opening match when they crashed to Oxfordshire at Atherley last month even though Plomer's side subsequently crushed Middlesex 20-2 and now the Isle of Wight 19-3.

The hapless Islanders are used to being the group whipping boys and though they have caused an upset or two in their time - notably the shock victory over Hampshire eight years ago - there was never any chance of that upset being repeated.

Peter Ward led the rampage dashing 16-2 ahead at ten ends in a 27-5 roasting of the Island's Top Four championship rink and which included Hampshire Liberty Trophy regular Darren Griffith at number three.

Highest score of the day went to the Nicky Jones foursome who registered two fives and two fours in the second half of his contest as he accelerated from 13-10 up at halfway to overcome Ken Hamblin 36-21.

Martyn Sekjer led Ken's son Steve Hamblin 10-7, 15-12 and 20-17 until the plucky Islanders landed singles on the final three ends to force a draw.

The one rink that slipped away from Hampshire was Leo May's, the home quartet being 9-3 up and later 20-17 down before levelling on the 20th only for Peter Clayton to snatch a last-end single to cheer the Islanders.

Rink scores:

Barry Bendall (Banister Park), Paul Short (Aldershot Traction), Denny Graydon (Fleming Park), Julian Haines (Boscombe Cliff) 17 Peter Furmidge (Cowes Medina) 14;

Bill Taws (Portsmouth CS), Mark Hammond (Banister Park), Chris Daniels, Nicky Jones (both Boscombe Cliff) 36 Ken Hamblin (Shanklin) 21;

Ian Churchman, David Dunford (both Aldershot Traction), Colin Thresher (Sports Centre), Leo May (Pyestock) 20 Peter Clayton (Plessey) 21;

Alan Geary (Boscombe Cliff), Darren Clark (Bournemouth), Dean Morgan (Boscombe Cliff), Paul May (Pyestock) 27 Phil Turner (Shanklin) 16;

John Keat (Sports Centre), Chris Martin (Boscombe Cliff), Richard Shelley, Martyn Sekjer (both Sports Centre) 20 Steve Hamblin (Shanklin) 20;

Michael Squires (Boscombe Cliff), Iain Bunday (Sports Centre), Charlie Bailey (Fareham), Peter Ward (Sports Centre) 27 Mark Griffith (Cowes Medina) 5.

Final positions: Oxfordshire 59, Hampshire 41, Middlesex 23, Isle of Wight 9.