Southampton Rangers clinched a place in next season's Martonmere Cup with this emphatic victory over a dispirited Hamilton Parish team at Southampton Oval yesterday.

Spearheaded by hat-tricks from Nashon Smith and substitute Travis Wilkinson the home side had an easy time despite being without the services of some key players who are in Barbados watching the third cricket Test -- along with coach John Tucker.

Parish, deflated since being relegated a few weeks ago, also had something of a makeshift squad with some players and members of their coaching staff also reported to be in Barbados.

But there were early signs that Parish would be in for a tough day when the game was delayed for 15 minutes to enable them suitable time to raise sufficient players for the kick-off.

Southampton started veteran Edgar Smith and assistant coach Earl Basden and were always keen to get started.

They built a commanding 5-1 lead by the half with Smith getting his hat-trick and Mtume Hart and Herbie Dillas also scoring. Irving Burgess netted for Parish.

The home side pumped home six more when play re-started with Wilkinson also getting his hat-trick, Hart scoring his second and Jason Raynor and substitute Darren Smith also netting.

Southampton: R.Darrell; J.Raynor, P.Brangman, E.Basden (R.Zuill, 60 mins), N.Grant; N.Smith, L.Seymour, E.Smith (T.Wilkinson, 55 mins); D.Tucker, M.Hart, H.Dillas (D.Smith, 55 mins).

Ham.Parish: R.Evans; I.Burgess, S.Place, S.Dill, C.Davis; A.Baker (J.Smith, 52 mins), A.Outerbridge, C.Caisey; C.Hill, L.Allen, L.Raynor Referee: Lyndon Raynor Men of the match: Nashon Smith (Rangers); Shannon Place (Parish).

Somerset missed the chance to qualify for the Martonmere Cup next season when they were beaten 6-0 at home by North Village who finished third in the standings.