LED by a majestic display from Peter Ward's rink, Hampshire strode through to the second round of the Liberty Trophy with an impressive 136-104 repeat triumph over Sussex on Saturday.
The East Dorset bowler - backed by clubmate and Hampshire debutant Adam Tidby at number three - roasted Steve Jeapes 31-11 and was the pick of the county's four successful skips on the Whiteknights carpet at Reading.
With player/manager Julian Haines and his managerial assistant Graham Standley overcoming sluggish starts to win their contests, Hampshire gradually took command and were assured of victory over Sussex for the second consecutive season long before the finish.
Russell Morgan recorded Hampshire's other win after building a 14-3 lead at nine ends against Leigh Prince.
Nicky Jones looked like chalking up a fifth rink success but, after inching 20-18 ahead in a tight tussle with Derek Dyer, the East Dorset man dropped a last-end four to lose 22-20.
Hampshire's other beaten skip was Martyn Sekjer. Yet again, his was a narrow defeat, 19-18, following another well-fought contest which had seen Simon Pettingel 16-11 ahead at 14 ends.
Ward, pictured, making his first Hampshire appearance as an East Dorset member after switching from Atherley, stormed 22-3 in front backed by the consistency of Tidby, Trevor Bailey and Atherley lead Keith Cole.
Although a shell-shocked Jeapes clawed back to 27-11, Ward rounded off a fine performance with a four.
Haines and Standley - the county's two senior skips - have been around long enough not to panic when big scores are dropped early on.
Haines conceded a seven on the second and Standley gave away a first-end five yet, at halfway, Haines was 15-11 up. By the 14th Standley was 13-12 up, having been 11-1 adrift on six ends.
In the second round on Saturday, November 16, at Taunton Deane (2pm), Hampshire face Worcestershire, who overcame Cornwall at the weekend.
Skips' scores: (Hampshire first) Graham Standley (Longmeadow) 21 Richard Moses 16; Russell Morgan (East Dorset) 21 Leigh Prince 17; Nicky Jones (East Dorset) 20 Derek Dyer 22; Peter Ward (East Dorset) 31 Steve Jeapes 11; Julian Haines 25 (East Dorset) David Miller 19; Martyn Sekjer (East Dorset) 18 Simon Pettingel 19.
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