HAMPSHIRE must be a getting a real complex about playing Kent. They have bowed out to them in the last two seasons of the Liberty Trophy and again came off second best in the Home Counties League semi-finals in March.

The latest setback was the heaviest of the lot, however, with Hampshire whitewashed 16-0 and by an embarrassing 222-111 in an eight-rink HCL match.

As the HCL is regarded as a nursery to bring on lesser lights and the younger element for future Liberty Trophy campaigns, only 12 current Liberty bowlers can be used in a match.

While Kent fielded their maximum quota Hampshire had just two of this season's Liberty team.

So, although Hampshire finished pointless, they will hope that the experience gained will benefit them more than their opponents in years to come.

Hampshire's 'best' rinks were both at Loddon Vale, where the Palmerston quartet of Bill Jackson, Andrew Miller, Russell Gadd and Neil O'Donovan were level on 14-14 at the 15th end before losing 22-16.

John Fhithyan (Atherley), Peter Hammond (Banister Park), Mick Barrett (Atherley) and Atherley skip Jody Bright even led 8-2 at five ends but their encouraging start did not last. Despite still being 15-12 in front after 15, they fell 21-15 to Alan Shoobridge.

At Tunbridge Wells, Barry Harman almost pulled a rink out of the fire. Down 9-1 at five ends the Havant skip was just 16-15 adrift after 15 but eventually went down 27-19.

Rink scores: (Hampshire skips first)