HAMPSHIRE will be praying for an Andy Thomson-Gary Smith World Pairs Championship win tonight.

For if the England duo triumph in Norfolk, it would rule them out of Kent's Liberty Trophy quarter-final against Hampshire at Camberley on Sunday - which could tip the balance in favour of Peter Line's men, according to Kent skip Martyn Sekjer.

Sekjer, currently working in Southampton and an Atherley social member, said: "If Andy and Gary win on Wednesday, their next game is on Saturday evening, ruling them out for Kent the following day.

"I have mixed emotions, because I want them to do well in the Worlds but they are invaluable to our team. With them, I'd say we're favourites but, without them, the situation must favour Hampshire."

Sekjer feels historically that Kent have not fared as well in the Liberty Trophy as they should have done - they won it in 1986 and were finalists in 1994 - but, this winter, they have looked very powerful, seeing off Sussex and Worcestershire without dropping a rink.

Many bowls pundits bel-ieve the winner this weekend be crowned county kings at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, on April 8.