HAMPSHIRE have been handed the toughest draw possible in next year's Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy.

The Hawks have been drawn away to Minor Counties side Cheshire in the second round, a tie to be played on May 5.

If they win that, they face either minnows Holland or holders Gloucestershire in the third round on May 29.

Former Hampshire bowler Simon Renshaw starred for Cheshire in their 40-run victory over Bedforshire which took them through to the second round.

He took 3-50 for a side which also included Queensland all-rounder Clinton Perren and Trinidad & Tobago fast bowler Marlon Black.

Black, who has played in four Tests for the West Indies, took 1-38 off his 10 overs while Perren, who averages over 33 for his Australian state, scored just 16 in Cheshire's 241-8 total.

Black's international career has struggled to get back on track ever since he was attacked while on tour in Melbourne with the West Indies three years ago.

He was punched and kicked repeatedly in an unprovoked assault and struck with a garden stake before being left unconscious.

Hampshire will be hoping for better luck in the tournament than in 2002, when they lost in the last over to Sussex at the Rose Bowl.

Second round draw (May 5 2004):

Ireland v Surrey, Staffordshire v Lancashire, Dorset v Yorkshire, Wales v Middlesex, Lincolnshire v Glamorgan, Holland v Gloucestershire, Cheshire v Hampshire, Cambridgeshire v Northamptonshire, Berkshire v Kent, Scotland v Essex, Devon v Leicestershire, Shropshire v Warwickshire, Herefordshire v Worcestershire, Wiltshire v Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire v Somerset, Durham v Sussex.

Third round draw (May 29):

Herefordshire/Worcestershire v

Derbyshire/Somerset, Durham/Sussex v Staffordshire/Lancashire, Wales/Middlesex v Lincolnshire/Glamorgan, Devon/Leicestershire v Dorset/Yorkshire, Wiltshire/Nottinghamshire v Scotland/Essex, Shropshire/Warwickshire v Berkshire/Kent, Holland/Gloucestershire v Cheshire/Hampshire, Ireland/Surrey v Cambridgeshire/Northamptonshire