HAMPSHIRE'S dream of becoming England Indoor BA under-25 double rink champions was ruined by Norfolk at Melton Mowbray.

Although Steve Robertson won his contest 23-18, Paul May lost 32-18, condemning Hampshire to a 50-41 defeat on their first appearance in the final.

County selector Derek Collins said: "Steve's rink performed really well against a strong Norfolk four but it was unfortunate that Paul's rink had their worst game of the season."

In view of the problems alongside them, Robertson's quartet went for their shots to try and claw back the deficit. On the 17th end they had a possible jackpot when holding seven shots but Stone gained a fortunate deflection off a wing wood to cut the Hampshire count down to two.

After being 4-2 behind, Robertson's men took the lead on the sixth end and never looked back. By the 11th the margin had stretched to 14-4 and, though they were later cut back to 15-14 on the 16th, they eased clear again in the closing stages.

May, however, had a torrid time. The England junior international trailed only 7-3 on the fifth but then failed to score for the next eight ends as Jamie Chestney romped 25-3 ahead.

Despite a minor Hampshire rally with a four, a three and a five the damage had been done. Scores:

Mark Hammond (Banister Park), Simon Doig (Riverside), Gary Starks (Victory), skip Paul May (Rushmoor) 18 Jamie Chestney (Pentney) 32;

Matthew Marchant (Victory), Luke Young (Riverside), Ian Purton (Victory), skip Steve Robertson (Victory) 23 Tim Stone (Acle) 18.