DEREK COLLINS praised the team spirit after Hampshire disposed of Cornwall to earn a Liberty Trophy semi-final date with Somerset.

Hampshire thought they would face the old enemy Kent in the last four but Somerset, who had already beaten Devon, triumphed 112-103 at Newbury.

The match on Saturday, March 3, will be at a neutral venue yet to be revealed, the prize for the winners being a place in the final at Nottingham on Sunday, April 22, against Cumbria or champions Norfolk.

Collins said: "The team spirit was magnificent - everyone was working for each other across the green and no one wanted to lose. It became a case of getting our heads down and pressurising them.

"Leo May did just what I wanted in the Steve Robertson rink. Leo's presence tuned it nicely and gave the rink that little extra urgency which brought the best out of Steve.

"Julian Haines has slotted in so well at number three to Peter Ward while Dave Dunford has proved such a solid number two for Richard Shelley and with a bit of luck they might have turned it around in the closing ends.

"Not only did the bowlers support each other but they had so much support from the sidelines ."