BOSCOMBE Cliff dominate the first team named by Hampshire's new Middleton Cup manager John Plomer.

They have a nine-strong contingent - including skips Russell Morgan, Nicky Jones and Chris Daniels - for the opening friendly against Wiltshire at Atherley on Sunday, May 19.

Although Morgan and Jones are established skips, this is the first time Daniels has been chosen in that position having previously made 13 Middleton Cup appearances at lead.

However, Plomer was so impressed with Daniels as a skip in a trial at Atherley that he has had no hestitation in promoting him to the back-end.

As expected, Verwood resident Martyn Sekjer has been installed at skip and will surely make his Hampshire debut there come the opening Middleton Cup date away to the Isle of Wight on Saturday, June 8.

The international, who first played for England in 1985 outdoors, had a long history with the Kent Middleton Cup side before moving to the area and joining Southampton Sports Centre this year after an indoor campaign at East Dorset.

What has raised eyebrows is that Julian Haines has been selected at number three for the Wilts tussle.

Haines has been a Hampshire skip for many years but Sekjer is keen to have the Boscombe Cliff man as his number three for the cup campaign.

Bournemouth-based Plomer announced his side following a trial involving 40 bowlers at Atherley. After the Wiltshire clash, Hampshire have a final warm-up match against Dorset at Dorchester on Sunday, May 26.

Rinks to play Wiltshire: Ian Churchman (Aldershot Traction), Barry Bendall (Banister Park), Dorian Bishop (Southsea Waverley), Peter Ward (Sports Centre); Alan Geary, Chris Martin (both Boscombe Cliff), Charlie Bailey (Fareham), Chris Daniels (Boscombe Cliff); Kevin Philip (Aldershot Traction), Denny Graydon (Fleming Park), Paul May (Pyestock), Nicky Jones (Boscombe Cliff); John Keat (Sports Centre), Dean Morgan, Julian Haines (both Boscombe Cliff), Martyn Sekjer (Sports Centre); Mike Squires, Ron Sparks (both Boscombe Cliff), Leo May (Pyestock), Russell Morgan (Boscombe Cliff); Matthew Marchant (Southsea Waverley), Paul Lawrence (Portsmouth CS), Dave Dunford (Aldershot Traction), Nicky Smith (Atherley).

Reserves: Darren Clark (Bournemouth), Jim Marsland, Paul Short (both Aldershot Traction), Richard Shelley (Sports Centre).