As he drove to the dentist for a replacement filling, Stephenson could savour the prospect of a full house at Northlands Road on July 30 in his most important game as captain, with a chance to avenge an early-season embarrassment.

Yesterday's draw gave Lancashire another home tie, this time against Derbyshire, whom they meet for a preliminary skirmish in the County Championship at Old Trafford next week.

Elsewhere Sussex host Yorkshire, who may have to travel down from Scarborough the previous night, and Surrey were rewarded for eliminating the holders, Warwickshire, with a home match against Somerset.

Two months ago Hampshire hardly looked like title candidates when Essex thrashed them by 10 wickets in the Sunday League at Southampton, and they frittered away the championship game after amassing 539 in their first innings, losing by four wickets. Toothache had nothing on the pain inflicted by Essex that weekend.

Stephenson said: ``We've made big strides since then. We've more of a plan and we're bowling more accurately. We've beaten some good sides. After all my years at Essex I've got happy memories and I still get on well with the players, but there won't be any messing about for this match, I'm sure.''

These are heady days for Yorkshire, still scenting three titles. Another possible future Roses clash remains an incentive during their Sussex trip, because residual pain still lingers from Lancashire's outrageous one-wicket Benson and Hedges Cup semifinal win.

NATWEST TROPHY.- Qtr-final draw: Lancashire v Derbyshire, Surrey v Somerset, Hampshire v Essex, Sussex v Yorkshire. To be played on July 30.