HAMPSHIRE Hawks' victory last Sunday at Milton Keynes against the Northamptonshire Steelbacks should be enough to keep them in the top flight of the totesport League next season.

The visitors ran out easy 67-run winners after the home side were bowled out for 171, chasing Hampshire's total of 238-9.

Another great bowling performance saw Shaun Udal lead the way with 4-46, while Billy Taylor (2-32) and Alan Mullally (2-18) were also among the wicket-takers.

The Steelbacks got off to the worst possible start as they collapsed to 17-4 after 13 overs, from which they never recovered.

Graeme Swann (59) and Gerry Brothy (47 not-out) were the only two home players to get past 20 as they were bowled out with a further three overs remaining.

Earlier in the game, Northamptonshire won the toss, and put Hampshire into bat.

It didn't start too well, as James Hamblin was out for 18, and captain Shane Warne departed for a golden duck after promoting himself up the batting order to number three.

James Adams grabbed eight runs, which included a six, and he was soon joined in the pavilion by John Crawley (1) as the Hawks struggled to 42-4.

At that point, Australian Simon Katich and Greg Lamb, set about rebuilding the innings as the pair added 82, before Katich was out for 58.

Lamb (pictured right) was then joined by Nic Pothas, who showed a timely return to form, as this duo moved the score to 202, before Lamb departed having scored an excellent 54.

Pothas continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over on his way to an unbeaten 70 from 56 balls.

Hampshire ended up with 238-9, which proved enough for the victory.