SURREY are the bane of Hampshire's life.

Not only have they beaten Hampshire on the last two occasions they have met in the Middleton Cup quarter-finals but they have also now defeated them three times on the trot in the indoor Home Counties League.

Hampshire's latest demise came in their final group game as Surrey waltzed in 173-129 (8-2) to top the section, though Hampshire go through as well in second spot.

Atherley's Denny Graydon, pictured right, landed Hampshire's solitary win at Camberley while Colin Thresher of Victory gained the single home success at Chawton Park.

Graydon, 9-7 ahead at halfway, inched a tight contest 18-15 but two other close encounters slipped from Hampshire's grasp with Colin Hayward (Victory) falling 23-20 and Mick Barrett (Atherley) going down 18-15 after being narrowly behind throughout.

The one clearcut result was Richard Shelley's 30-8 defeat after the Victory skip trailed just 9-6 at ten ends.

At Alton Thresher accelerated from 15-15 at 15 ends to post a 24-19 triumph. Palmerston's Andy McKain, 10-6 in front on ten ends, lost 19-16 while Graham Standley (Longmeadow) recovered from a tardy start to be just 17-15 behind on 18 ends before eventually tumbling 22-16.

John Joslin's all-Banister Park rink could never come to terms with their opponents and plunged 27-12.

Hampshire - beaten in the final by Surrey last year - go to Glebelands, North London, for the semi-final (probably against Kent) on Sunday, March 13. The final is on April 23 at the same venue.