Hampshire's dominance at this week's Women's County Finals continued yesterday, as they beat Hertfordshire to maintain their perfect record.

The team's 6.5-2.5 victory made it three wins out of three, putting them at the top of the standings ahead of the final two days of competition at Belton Park Golf Club.

Hampshire are hoping to be crowned English champions for the first time since 1995 and for only the fourth time in their history.

Hampshire, who beat Lincolnshire on day one and powerhouses Yorkshire on day two, face Gloucestershire today, before closing against Buckinghamshire tomorrow.

Although the scoreline might have suggested different, the win over Hertfordshire was a tense and gripping contest for much of the time.

The morning foursomes were shared in dramatic fashion, after Kerry Smith and Emma Allen fought back from two down with three to play in the final match to earn a vital half.

That put the momentum firmly with Hampshire going into the afternoon singles, in which they came flying out of the traps.

Meon Valley's Allen produced some scintillating golf in the top match, to win 4&3, while Stoneham's Sarah Bradshaw stormed to a 7&5 victory.

Alresford's Kelly Travers also bagged a big win, taking her contest 5&3, with that result securing the points for Hampshire.

There were also wins for Waterlooville's Kerry Smith, 2&1, and Brokenhurst Manor's Charlotte Barrow, 1up.

Corhampton's Georgina Mundy came close to completing a clean sweep, losing by just a single hole.

Hampshire and Hertfordshire used to be regional rivals in this competition, before it was reorganised, and Hampshire captain Mags Clark had been under no illusions about the test her team faced.

"It was always a tussle when we met years ago and we knew it would be the same," she said. "It was lovely to meet again but, my goodness, we had to struggle to cross the line against them."