HAMPSHIRE overwhelmed the Isle of Wight 20-2 (144-98) at Atherley to get their Middleton Cup prospects back on track.

However, hopes that Rod Rosier's men would gain significant ground were dashed as group leaders Berkshire triumphed 18-4 (125-91) at Middlesex.

Following their 19-3 defeat at Reading the previous week, Hampshire sought a maximum against the Islanders. At one stage that looked on the cards and it was a surprise when the rink that slipped from their grasp was Graham Standley's.

The Sports Centre skip had been 18-6 ahead at halfway yet, by the 16th, the Islanders, switching to long jacks, had levelled at 22-22 and went on to inflict a 28-24 defeat.

Overall, the result was never in doubt, with Hampshire 71-39 in front by the tenth end and swelling the gap to more than 50 shots at one point.

Standley did much to establish that first-half lead while, alongside, Leo May (16-2 at 10) was making even better progress in becoming Hampshire's top rink.

Brother Paul May was always in control after building a 15-5 gap by the 11th, as was Peter Ward, who bagged a six on the 11th to romp 16-7 up.

Adam Tidby and Charlie Bailey had to work harder for victory and both trailed on the 11th before taking command, Fareham skip Bailey doing it with successive counts of four and five on his 13th and 14th ends.

Tidby left it later, a four on the 18th carrying the Sports Centre skip and club colleagues Mick Slade and Mark Hammond, as well as Richard Garrett (Knyveton Gardens), 17-13 clear.

Rink scores: Michael Hutley (Boscombe Cliff), David Oakes (Kingsclere), Jim Marsland (Aldershot Traction), Peter Ward (Ringwood) 24 Peter Furmidge 14; Mick Slade (Sports Centre), Richard Garrett (Knyveton Gardens), Mark Hammond, Adam Tidby (both Sports Centre) 20 Bruce Marks 15; Ian Churchman (Aldershot Traction), Graham Hillier (Old Basing), Colin Hayward (Milton Park), Charlie Bailey (Fareham) 23 Ian Morey 20; Ian Rawlinson (Bournemouth), Darren Clark, Dean Morgan (both Boscombe Cliff), Paul May (Banister Park) 22 Darren Griffith 13; Kevin Philip (Aldershot Traction), Alan Geary, Chris Daniels (both Boscombe Cliff), Graham Standley (Sports Centre) 24 Allan Best 28; Dave Coulson, Chris Cranham (both Pyestock), Colin Thresher (Sports Centre), Leo May (Pyestock) 31 Peter Clayton 8.

l Hampshire go to Ruislip on Saturday aiming to inflict an even bigger defeat on Middlesex than Berkshire did last weekend.

l Hutley has been chosen for the final England under-25 trial at Daventry on Sunday, July 23. The 19-year-old is one of 32 youngsters in action at the Northamptonshire club from which the team of 24, plus three reserves, will be chosen for the British Isles Junior International Series at Royal Leamington Spa in September.