Durham's bowlers earned their side a decisive advantage at the end of the first day, making a mockery of Hampshire's choice to bat first. Danny Law produced the best bowling performance of his career, six for 53 while Nicky Hatch on his debut took two top order wickets in three balls.

Hatch, a 6 ft 8 inch understudy for the injured Steve Harmison, dismissed Derek Kenway and Will Kendall in his fourth over and Hampshire were never completely in control again.

Law dismissed Neil Johnson and Lawrence Prittipaul just before lunch and, getting bounce from a helpful but by no means unreliable wicket, caused more havoc afterwards by removing Giles White, who took two-and-a-half-hours over his 41, and Shaun Udal. Hampshire were 149 for eight before there was any semblance of a revival which came belatedly in the shape of a stand of 92 for the ninth-wicket between Adrian Aymes and Alex Morris. Morris hit 12 fours in his 59 and Aymes made 41 before they were both out to the persevering Law.

All out for 246, Hampshire had no respite as Jon Lewis and Michael Gough put on 55 for the first Durham wicket and Lewis and Martin Love carried on to take Durham to a cosy 113 for one at the close, 133 behind. Hatch's big day ended with figures of two for 55 incidentally.

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