Hampshire close in on vital Championship victory

A disciplined bowling display and a positive response to the task of chasing a challenging target saw Hampshire close requiring just 97 more runs to secure a much-required Frizzell County Championship victory over fellow strugglers Somerset.

Three wickets apiece for paceman Chris Tremlett and the tireless Shaun Udal, who bowled unchanged from the Northern End throughout the day and finished with impressive figures of 3-74 from 35 continuous overs undermined the visitors.

Piran Holloway, returning to the side for this game, stood firm as he watched his teammates fall to the patient Hampshire bowlers.

Dimitri Mascarenhas started the slide, removing the overnight pairing of Michael Burns and Matthew Bulbeck within 13 runs of each other and when Tremlett struck to dismiss the dangerous Keith Parsons and Ian Blackwell, Somerset were in some trouble at 79-6.

Once again, it was wicket-keeper Rob Turner (34) who guided the innings to respectability with Holloway in solid support as they added 69 for the seventh wicket.

Turner fell leg before to Udal and it was only a matter of time, despite Andrew Caddick's lusty 16, until Hampshire would wrap up the tail - Holloway edging Tremlett to Neil Johnson at first-slip two short of a deserved half-century as Somerset were bowled out for 190, setting the hosts 233 in four sessions.

In a reverse of recent performances, openers Neil Johnson and Jason Laney set about the target with considerable vigour, passing the best first wicket partnership recorded by Hampshire this season - a measly 56 - in the space of 13 overs!

Driving, cutting and pulling all manner of deliveries, they scampered to 97 before Laney mistimed a drive off former Hampshire quickie Simon Francis, much to his delight, to Richard Johnson at mid-on for a 77-ball 46. Both openers were aided by wicket-keeper Turner who dropped two clear-cut chances.

But, probably the most disappointing moment of the day was Neil Johnson's dismissal for an exquisite 57 - Turner making no mistake third time around.

A moron who entered the playing arena as Parsons came into bowl Johnson's final delivery may have disturbed his concentration. He was able to run carte-blanche onto the ground twice without apprehension from the security personnel. The only person leaving the ground seemed to be Johnson.

If Hampshire does transpire to lose this game - which they shouldn't requiring 97 to win with eight wickets in hand - they may well look back to this incident. Victory is paramount to create a gap between themselves and the relegation trapdoor, while defeat will almost certainly consign that side to Division Two.