Hampshire Successfully Secure Vital Draw on Final Day

The LV=County Championship Division One relegation battle between Somerset and Hampshire at Taunton ended in a draw after the visitors batted throughout the final day. 

Jimmy Adams with 136, James Vince 77 and Will Smith 50 all applied themselves well and batted defiantly to ensure that Hampshire took a seven point draw from a game that they were chasing from the afternoon of the opening day.

Somerset were unable to break Hampshire’s determination and had to settle for 13 points from a game they would have hoped to have won.

Hampshire resumed on 258 for one, Adams unbeaten on 117 and Vince not out 69, still needing 132 to make Somerset bat again 

The hosts took the new ball second delivery of the day and in the sixth over of play Craig Overton from the Ricer End made the break through that Somerset needed when he had Vince caught at gully by Tom Abell trying to cut.

Two overs later the rain started to fall and the players left the field for a 45 minute rain break.

When the game re-started with the loss of 12 overs, Adams and Smith took Hampshire through until lunch by which time the total had moved onto 309 for two.

Pete Trego opened the attack at the River End and with his second over had Adams pushing forward caught by wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi for 136, his runs coming off 313 balls including 19 fours.

There was no further joy for the Somerset bowlers and by the time tea was taken Hampshire were 370 for three Smith unbeaten on 36 and Dawson 31 not out.

In the sixth over after tea Smith went to a patient half century when he took two off Jack Leach who wheeled away during the afternoon without success. Smith 50 cam off 160 balls and included six 4s and a 6.

Next over Smith, without addition drove occasional off spinner Tom Cooper to mid on where substitute fielder Calvin Harrison took the chance,  which made Hampshire 386 for four.

New batsman Sean Ervine took a boundary off Leach in the 150^th over to put Hampshire ahead.

At 4.20pm the players shook hands with Hampshire on 411 for four declared , Dawson unbeaten on 44 and Ervine 13 as the game ended in a draw.

 Words: Richard Walsh (Press Association)