Somerset find themselves in deeper relegation trouble in the county championship after losing their match against fellow strugglers Hampshire at The Rose Bowl earlier today.

Resuming on 136 for 2 this morning, overnight batsmen Will Kendall and Robin Smith took the score onto 169 before Kendall became the first of Andy Caddick's victims of the morning.

The England paceman struck again seven runs later when he accounted for Smith, to give the Cidermen a glimmer of hope.

However despite Simon Francis and Richard Johnson taking another wicket each, it was the hosts who helped themselves to much needed points, thanks to Dimitri Mascarenhas who hit an unbeaten 27, and wicket-keeper Adie Aymes, who hit the winning to help his side to a four wicket victory and the chance to climb away from the relegation zone.

For the Cidermen with just five matches remaining their plight looks even more desperate, with the next side above them Lancashire having opened a nine point gap.

With Somerset needing to win three of their remaining fixtures to realistically have a chance of survival the match against Warwickshire at Taunton on Wednesday is now of even greater significance.

© Somerset CCC