THE first psychological blow for Hampshire's Liberty Trophy match against Devon this month could already have been struck by the English Indoor BA in favour of Peter Line's men.

The EIBA have designated Donyatt at Ilminster as the venue for the second-round match - and that decision has brought a howl of protest from Devon who have unhappy memories of playing on the Somerset carpet last season.

Gordon Thomas, secretary of the west countrymen, explained: "We don't like the surface - last year we lost to Dorset there and a lot of our players said the green was slower than they were used to.

"We also have quite a few spectators who travel with us and it is not a very good venue for watching because it is not easy to get in and out of - one end is right up against a wall and once you're in, you're in."

Devon even carried their complaint to the EIBA, but that has been overruled which means good news for Hampshire who will be facing a county already at odds over the speed of the surface.

Hampshire manager Peter Line, however, has no qualms about going to Donyatt on Saturday, November 25.

He said: "I have never played there, but according to a couple of Atherley colleagues who have, they said it wasn't too bad."

Following the 114-99 revenge win over Essex last weekend, Line has named an unchanged side to tackle a formidable Devon team who have a range of international skips headed by Danny Denison - seventh in the EIBA's latest ranking list.

After rinks wins by Richard Shelley, Peter Ward, Nicky Jones and Russell Morgan had foiled Essex, Line said: "I was very impressed with Shelley who played exceptionally well and received good support from his other three colleagues in a reshaped rink.

"The three news leads - Andy Ross, John Barter and Barry Starks - also justified their places, while Kevin Cousins was outstanding at number three to Morgan.

"Ward and Jones gave solid support, and although Graham Standley's rink were beaten, they battled well against the best of the Essex rinks."