HAMPSHIRE HAWKS eased their totesport League relegation fears with a comfortable 67-run victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Milton Keynes.

Only a freak set of results will see Shane Warne's men suffer an immediate return to the Second Division of the one-day league after yesterday's win at Campbell Park.

Hampshire are now third in a tightly-congested nine-team table but only six points away from Northants, whose lost yeserday dumped them into the relegation zone.

Of the six teams below them in the table, only rock bottom Kent cannot catch Hampshire.

Should Warne and Co beat Gloucestershire at the Rose Bowl next Monday, the Hawks are safe.

But realistically they should stay up irrespective of the result against the Bristolians.

Second-from-bottom Surrey must win their final three matches to jump above Hampshire.

If they lose at Essex on Wednesday but beat Northants next Sunday, Hampshire will be safe even before facing Gloucestershire.

Wicketkeeper Nic Pothas was the star at Milton Keynes, hammering an unbeaten 70 from only 56 balls to inspire a fine recovery from 42-4 to 238-9.

Pothas' innings was decisive as Northants were dismissed for 171 in reply - their fifth successive one-day league setback.

Put in to bat by David Sales, Hampshire ran into early trouble with Warne falling first ball to a catch behind off Johann Louw after promoting himself to number three in the order.

Simon Katich, in his first one-day league game of the season, launched the fightback with 58 from 70 deliveries and Greg Lamb kept up the good work as he contributed a league-best 54 off 76 balls.

But the real acceleration came from Pothas, who combined powerful hitting with shrewd placement to crack three sixes and three fours.

Australian Paul Rofe claimed three for 46 on his competition debut and Northants would have fancied their chances of overhauling Hampshire's score on a good pitch.

Alan Mullally had other ideas, however, and removed Tim Roberts and Rob White in a miserly stint of two for 18 from nine overs with the new ball.

Mullally combined with Billy Taylor in the continued absence of main strike bowler Chris Tremlett (foot injury) to restrict Northants to 17-4 after 13 overs.

James Hamblin held a magnificent running catch to remove the dangerous Sales for a single and it was left to Graeme Swann to keep the Steelbacks afloat. He blasted three sixes in a typically robust 59 off 46 balls, dominating handy partnerships of 52 and 45 with Jeff Cook and Gerry Brothy.

But Swann's luck ran out when Dimi Mascarenhas bowled him with 125 still needed, and Brothy's undefeated 47 only delayed the inevitable as off-spinner Shaun Udal tidied up with four for 46.