Adams leads the Hampshire contingent success stories

James Adams, the Hampshire left-handed opening batsman, struck two centuries in the match for his University Centre of Cricket Excellence side in the opening fixtures to the 2002 season.

The 21-year-old struck 103 in Loughborough UCCE's first innings 213 all out in reply to Kent's 443-6dec at Canterbury, and when asked to follow-on, he repeated the dose with a masterful 113 from 228 balls (18 fours) and helped save the game for the Midlanders as it tapered out into a draw.

Fellow Hampshire staff member John Francis joined in a 132-run partnership with Adams for the second wicket second time around, before being dismissed for a steady 48.

This followed an excellent all-round effort from new recruit James Tomlinson, who undermined a strong Somerset first innings with 5-104 and then smashed a quickfire unbeaten 30 from 27 balls at number 11 in the Cardiff UCCE reply.

But his efforts were in vain, despite taking two more wickets in the second innings, his side crashed to a 221 run defeat.

Chris Yates, who plays for Rowledge in the Southern Electric Premier League and has represented Hampshire II over the past couple of seasons, chipped in with three wickets in the match, while captaining the side.

Supporters will be pleased to see Simon Francis, who was released from the staff last season, back in action for his new county Somerset, where he bowled tidily after a tough couple of seasons injury wise at Hampshire.

Sadly, none of these records will stand, as only matches involving Cambridge (crushed by Middlesex by 282 runs), Oxford (blasted at the hands of Worcestershire by 332 runs) and newly appointed Durham (played out a draw against their county rivals) are classed as first-class.