HAMPSHIRE could have brothers skipping Middleton Cup rinks this season.
After the success of promoting Paul May to that role last summer, county manager John Plomer has named his elder brother Leo May to skip in the pre-cup friendly against Wiltshire at Wootton Bassett on Sunday, May 18 (2pm).
After naming his side following the weekend trial at Atherley, Plomer said: "Paul May came up trumps last season with Dean Morgan at number three and now I feel it's time Leo had his chance as I rate him very highly."
Both bowlers from the Pyestock club have won England under-25 honours, Leo in 2000 when he was eligible for the last time and Paul last summer - though he will be hoping to extend his international career after playing in the junior trial later this month.
Paul again showed his worth in the county trial with a 35-13 win against Bill Belcher, the highest winning margin of the day.
Plomer, however, points out that this is Hampshire's first warm-up game and his Middleton Cup line-up is certainly not definite yet especially as there is a second friendly against Dorset at Atherley on Sunday, May 25.
Julian Haines, who opted out of the team last year as he was unhappy at playing three instead of his usual skip's position, is back to skip with, interestingly, Peter Ward, who skipped in 2002, at three.
Plomer is keen to see how the Ward-Haines combination works though he intends returning Ward to skip against Dorset.
Another intriguing selection is Chris Daniels at skip. Plomer thinks the former Atherley bowler, like Leo May, deserves his chance and his performance at Wootton Bassett will be closely scrutinised.
With Russell Morgan and Nicky Smith both ruled out for the cup campaign, Plomer has at least two skips' vacancies which he is still deliberating. Martyn Sekjer, Paul May and Nicky Jones look sure-fire bets to retain their places but the other three slots would seem to be in the melting pot.
Of the 24 bowlers selected to face the Moonrakers, six are from Southampton Sports Centre and seven from Boscombe Cliff.
After the Dorset match Plomer will announce his team for the Middleton Cup opener against Oxfordshire at Atherley on Saturday, June 7. Hampshire continue against Middlesex at Ladygate, Ruislip, on June 21 before the final group fixture against the Isle of Wight on July 5 back at Atherley.
Rinks to play Wiltshire: John Keat (Southampton Sports Centre), Chris Martin (Boscombe Cliff), Richard Shelley, Martyn Sekjer (both Southampton Sports Centre);
Barry Bendall (Banister Park), Iain Bunday, Peter Ward (both Southampton Sports Centre), Julian Haines (Boscombe Cliff);
Ian Churchman, Dave Dunford (both Aldershot Traction), Colin Thresher (Southampton Sports Centre), Leo May (Pyestock);
Mike Squires (Boscombe Cliff), Paul Short (Aldershot Traction), Darren Clark (Bournemouth), Chris Daniels (Boscombe Cliff);
Alan Geary (Boscombe Cliff), Denny Graydon (Fleming Park), Dean Morgan (Boscombe Cliff), Paul May (Pyestock);
Bill Taws (Civil Service Portsmouth), Dorian Bishop, Colin Hayward (both Southsea Waverley), Nicky Jones (Boscombe Cliff).
Other squad members to travel: Ian McKenzie (Southsea Waverley), Rod Rosier (Whitchurch).
Scores from the trial: Paul May 35 Bill Belcher 13, Colin Hayward 17 Colin Thresher 21, Peter Ward 15 Charlie Bailey 20, Julian Haines 30 Rod Rosier 19, Chris Daniels 22 Justin Davies 10, Martyn Sekjer 25 Jim Marsland 18.
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