HAMPSHIRE - national runners-up last season - are out of this winter's English Indoor BA under-25 double rink Championship after falling at the first hurdle 50-33 to Essex.

Although Lee Trowern, Ben Settle, Michael Hutley and Matthew Marchant scored a last-end single to win 20-19, having been 13-1 ahead after seven ends at Portsmouth, the travelling rink of Tom Bishop, Nick Wood, Barry Stafford and Jody Bright tumbled 31-13 on a difficult carpet at Barking.

Hampshire were not helped by the absence of Banister Park's England junior triallist Mark Hammond, who would have skipped the away rink. He was at Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, trying unsuccessfully to qualify for the World Championship pairs event with East Dorset's Adam Tidby in the play-off round.

Marchant, pictured right, has retained his place in the England under-25 side for the Bernard Telfer Trophy match against Wales at Prestatyn on Sunday, November 14, as has his 24-year-old Victory colleague Steve Robertson who although too old for Hampshire juniors, is still within the age limit to play for his country.

Marchant and Robertson were chosen following the southern area trial at Egham this month but the other Hampshire youngsters on show - Hammond, Victory's Lee Trowern and Michael Hutley of East Dorset - were out of luck.

Saturday's Hampshire League fixtures, Division 1: Banister Park v East Dorset, Palmerston v Rushmoor, Chawton Park v Victory.

Division 2: Atherley v Loddon Vale, Longmeadow v New Milton, Havant v Riverside.