HAMPSHIRE boss Rod Rosier has welcomed Adam Tidby with open arms as the countdown continues to the new Middleton Cup campaign.

The England indoor international - now a Southampton Sports Centre member - is expected to slot into the county team as a skip and could be joined by other bowls luminaries returning to the Middleton Cup fold.

Rosier said: "I have known Adam for a long time and he is a tremendous bowler with a marvellous temperament, so calm and controlled on the green.

"I have played against him several times and he is a very tough opponent, something which I hope our opposition will realise this season."

Rosier, who held a trial for the 2006 squad at the end of last season, is putting the final touches to his team for the opening friendly against Wiltshire at Atherley on May 13.

"With Adam arriving and several others returning we are building a lovely side which I just hope will carry us through to Worthing."

Rosier has pencilled in the likes of Peter Ward, Graham Standley and Russell Morgan, three regular skips in seasons gone by who he hopes will respond to his call to play for Hampshire again.

Ward, who reached the national fours' final last summer with Ringwood, is in line for an England trial following his heroics at Worthing but work commitments have left him in two minds whether to resuscitate his Middleton Cup career.

"At the moment I just don't know whether I will be playing for Hampshire and I shall have to give it some serious thought over the next couple of weeks so that I can give Rod a definite answer," said Ward, who will again be playing his nationals out of Ringwood but who will also be helping Sports Centre defend their Southampton and District League title.

Ward has, however, ruled out representing Sports Centre in the national double rink and Top Club championships, something that will disappoint Tidby who had hoped to play alongside him in those competitions.

After the Wiltshire sharpener Hampshire face Tidby's former county, Dorset, before starting their Middleton Cup fixtures on Saturday, June 3, against Berkshire at Reading.

They continue against Isle of Wight (at Atherley, June 10) and Middlesex (away, June 17) with the final group match against Oxfordshire (at Atherley, June 24).