AN unbeaten 144 from captain Robin Smith, who was supported in a fourth-wicket stand of 179 by Adrian Aymes, 73, rescued Hampshire after they had lost their first three wickets without a run scored.

Giles White fell lbw third ball, aiming across Julian Shackleton, who bowled beautifully, then Steve Forshaw had John Stephenson caught behind driving and caught and bowled Paul Whitaker off inside-edge and pad.

Smith, whose first fifty came off 114 balls, later hit fiercely, his last 94 runs from only 78 balls. He hit 15 fours and four sixes.

There were also hard-hitting cameos from Nixon McLean and Dimitri Mascarenhas as Hampshire plundered 125 runs from the last 10 overs, 71 coming from the last five.

When Dorset batted, former Hampshire player Jon Hardy shaped confidently but Cardigan Connor bowled Tim Richings, who offered no stroke, and had Stuart Rintoul lbw next ball before the rain set in.

Day 2

Dorset, 51 for three overnight in pursuit of Hampshire's 316 at Bournemouth, badly needed a big innings from former Hants batsman Jon Hardy.

But when he reached 45, John Stephenson trapped him lbw and then bowled Matt Swarbrick who had survived 20 overs to make 24.

The departure of Richard Scott marked the end of serious resistance as Dorset were reduced to 154 all out.