With Somerset losing both openers in the post tea session, the match is delicately poised, as Hampshire seek that vital victory to pull them away from the relegation mire.

There were three main contributers to the Hampshire innings. Robin Smith's 52 included 11 fours, and showed the supporters that he still had much to offer. Will Kendall who may have missed this match if John Crawley had been fit, batted for nearly three hours for an important 46, and young John Francis hit a deserved half century, also in three hours, to keep the Somerset bowlers at bay.

Ian Blackwell's slow left arm orthodox spin was the pick with five wickets that left Somerset wondering on this slow pitch why they had left Keith Dutch out of the side.

Hampshire were all out 42 runs in deficit, but the removal of both openers to Mullally and Udal gave the home side some hope.

© Hampshire Cricket