HAMPSHIRE'S women bowlers go into this afternoon's match against Dorset determined to make a name for themselves in the Walker Cup this season.
Last summer Hampshire for once did themselves justice in national inter-county competitions by reaching the final of the six-rink Johns Trophy - and with that performance under their belts they see no reason why they should not be just as successful in the double rink championship.
A year ago Hampshire did not even survive the preliminary round of the Walker Cup, falling to Devon, who went on to qualify for the semi-finals. Today (1.30) at neutral Alderbury, near Salisbury, Dorset should not be as tough but the match will certainly be no push-over.
The only change from the 2003 line-up is that Oakley's Kay Kerley - the English Women's BA president this year - comes into Gill Mitchell's rink at number three with Margaret Holden moving to reserve. Hampshire rinks:
Anne Pearce, Jean Arnaud (both Atherley), Brenda Plumpton (Fleet United), Wendy Line (Atherley);
Elizabeth Messer (Southbourne), Julie Saunders (Richmond Park), Kay Kerley (Oakley), Gill Mitchell (Richmond Park).
Travelling reserve: Margaret Holden (Alton Social); non-travelling reserve: Ann Broadhurst (Lee-on-the-Solent).
The fixture with Dorset could be close if the friendly between the two county associations at Verwood is any guide.
Although Hampshire led 68-59 at halfway they fell 96-87 behind by the 15th end but they fought back to force a 121-121 draw.
Scores: (Hampshire rinks, Dorset skips only)
Jill Cook (Lee-on-the-Solent), Mary Dyke (Pelhams), Patricia Rowe (Atherley), Rosemary Corney (Whitchurch) 27 Sue Hawksworth 9;
Pauline Wilkinson (Cowplain), Mary Jones (Swanmore), Cynthia Stephens (Cowplain), Carole Lloyd (Fareham) 16 Janet Green 28;
Pam Lambshead (Cowplain), Sue Wheeler (Cosham), Pam Harrison (Bournemouth), Linda Hayward (Whitchurch) 17 Di Sekjer 18;
Cynthia Abraham (Aldershot Underwood), Beryl Nuttall (Kings Park), Rose King (Cowplain), Ann Broadhurst (Lee-on-the-Solent) 18 May Jenkins 23;
Mary Taylor (Oakley), Doreen Risso (Brockenhurst), Irene Galpin (Cove), Allyson Flint (Cove) 22 Rosemary Spetch 15;
Jenny Loftus (Southampton Women), Diana Chilcott (Banister Park), Barbara Noyce (Banister Park), Bea Harrison (Romsey) 21 Viv Mansell 28.
Hampshire coped with the recently-renewed artificial surface at Braeside, near Ringwood, when they overcame the New Forest Women's BA 118-97. Scores: (Hampshire rinks, New Forest skips only):
Gill Head (Swanmore), Val Snook (Highcliffe), Jean Howell (Southbourne), Audrey Judge (Pelhams) 19 Rita Wye 16; Doreen Oliver (Petersfield), Annie Biggs (Milton Park), Audrey Dutton (Gosport), Sheila Gard (Petersfield) 28 Gill Dando 12; Rose Rogers (Milton Park), Jean Andrews (Braeside), Ann Taylor (Highcliffe), Peggy Bevis (Braeside) 15 Audrey Dean 13; Monica Niemier (Richmond Park), Sue Wheeler (Cosham), Doris Johnson (Ringwood), Sylvia Wells (Ringwood) 21 Sheila Nicoll 19; Cynthia Abraham (Aldershot Underwood), Jean Turnbull (Gosport), Pat Rowe (Atherley), Eileen Deadman (Richmond Park)
20 Pat Shepherd 10; Wendy Hutchings (Aldershot Underwood), Ann Cottrell (Aldershot Underwood), Linda Johnson (Richmond Park), Olive Fidler (Southbourne) 15 Mary Wych 27.
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