Dramatic Finish Sees Hampshire Denied Last Gasp Victory

A dramatic finish to the final day of Hampshire's Specsavers County Championship clash against Somerset saw the hosts come agonisingly close to securing an emphatic victory in the final session at The Ageas Bowl.

After quickly bowling Somerset out for 147 in their first-innings, Hampshire reached 96-5 before the rain fell, which allowed Hampshire to declare and set their opponents 161 to win off 31 overs.

Berg (3-17) and the Hampshire bowlers toiled away as Somerset collapsed to 84-8, but Josh Davey (4*) and Craig Overton (2*) survived for the final few overs as George Bailey's side were denied the win.

Somerset began the day on 135-8, and Hampshire made quick progress as Liam Dawson (1-30) dismissed Josh Davey (5) in his very first over of the day.

Gareth Berg (4-28) then wrapped up the innings moments later as Hampshire dismissed Somerset to hold a first innings lead of 64 runs.

The home-side began cautiously to start in their second innings, with Dawson and Jimmy Adams (9) safely guiding the hosts to 22-0 off the opening ten overs.

Adams was then run out looking for a third run moments later, before Dawson (20) was bowled by Tim Groenewald to leave Hampshire on 31-2.

Rilee Rossouw (22) looked to score quickly either side of the interval, taking the score from 38-2 to 64-2 in the space of less than three overs as their lead went into three figures.

However, his innings was ended when he edged to James Hildreth at slip, who took a smart catch low to his right.

Three wickets then fell in quick succession to see the total reach 79-5, a lead of 143 runs.

Sean Ervine (11*) and Ian Holland (6*) started to rebuild the innings, with a cautious partnership of 17 runs before the rain once again arrived, in a game that was significantly affected by the weather, resulting in the Hampshire declaration.

The visitors opened with Steven Davies as they looked to chase down the total, but a phenomenal second over from Berg put Hampshire firmly in control.

The seamer dismissed Marcus Trescothick (4) after a brilliant diving catch from James Vince before he removed Adam Hose (0) just three balls later to reduce Somerset to 4-2.

Kyle Abbott (2-33) then cleaned up the stumps of Hildreth (10) as the visitors fell to 27-3 in the ninth over.

Davies and Edward Byrom (15) batted aggressively to put on a 41-run partnership in just under eight overs, but their stand was broken when Ian Holland (2-23) bowled the latter in just his second over.

Somerset were in disarray at 69-5 as Abell (0) top-edged a reverse-sweep straight to Rossouw as Dawson picked up another wicket.

The crucial scalp of Davies (47) followed when the opener hit it straight to Bailey at wide mid-off, which allowed Hampshire to increase the pressure with Somerset 79-6.

There was late drama with just five overs to go as Berg returned and ended the partnership, with just three runs coming off the proceeding eight overs at the crease together as the visitors limped to 82-7.

Abbott then picked up the crucial wicket of Groenewald (3) with just seven balls left to end his determined stay at the crease, leaving Somerset 84-8.

However, Davey and Overton dug in and their resistance ensured Hampshire fell just short of what would have been an incredible win.