For much of the afternoon, Hampshire appeared on course for the win that would have taken them back into contention for the AXA title. However, a flourish in the last four overs of the Nottinghamshire innings, which produced 45 runs from four overs, and the insistence of the Hampshire batsmen to keep pressing the self-destruct button, gave the visitors an unexpected win.

Credit must also be given to the bowlers, especially Paul Strang and Chris Tolley, who exerted such pressure that the batsmen were forced into committing indiscretions.

Nottimghamshire's early order made heavy weather of the opening period. Wickets fell at regular intervals, including Paul Johnson's to give Cardigan Connor his 237th league success. This equalled the Hampshire record held by Trevor Jesty, who was present on the ground to applaud the cheery Anguillan.

Just when it looked as if it was to be a low-scoring contest, Strang and Paul Franks began to use the aerial route to post a total which was to prove more than merely competitive. It showed the way to the early Hampshire batsmen, who were well on course before losing their way.

Tolley specialises in frustrating Hampshire. In 1996, he recorded his career-best figures of five for 16 against the same opposition. Last season, he effected a dramatic collapse at the end of the innings, while this year he took the first three wickets to fall in the space of eight balls without cost.

With a stranglehold being applied by the Zimbabwean leg-spinner at the other end and Franks polishing off the tail, the Hampshire innings subsided quietly.