Hawks go top after record score

Hampshire's record score

Hampshire Hawks moved to the top of the National league Division II table for the first time following a record breaking performance at Taunton on Sunday (10 August). Their score of 335 for 6 beating their previous record of 313 scored in 1998.

Winning the toss on a hot sunny day proved crucial, as the Hawks made hay in the heat. Simon Katich led the way with his first National League century for Hampshire, smiting some 10 fours and three sixes in his 88 ball stay. He shared two half century partnerships before his dismissal, first with Hamblin, then Kenway glad to get off the mark after two successive zeros. Kenway looked in fine fettle before he cruelly lobbed a slow full toss straight to mid-wicket.

The two John's, Crawley and Francis are getting used to each other out in the middle as they shared a 96 run partnership, following on their 78 run affair at Hove last Monday and their unbeaten 126 against the Scottish Saltires. John Crawley probably batting at his best this season hit an exhilarating 92 in 64 balls with 9 fours and two sixes. None of the Somerset bowlers were spared including former Hampshire favourite Nixon McLean. John Francis also chipped in with a half century off 39 balls, as the visitors swept past the 300 and beyond, as the Sabres who had spent the afternoon chasing leather even had the ignominy of conceding 6 penalty runs for a slow over rate.

With the daunting task ahead of them Somerset received two early blows when Chaminda Vaas removed star batsman Jamie Cox for 0, and Chris Tremlett then removed the other opener Carl Gazzard also caught behind.

At 2 for 2, Keith Dutch and Ian Blackwell attempted to up the tempo, which included 50 runs in just 5 overs, both they and skipper Michael Burns were dismissed and the inevitable was in hand.

Shaun Udal shot out three more Sabres as Hampshire coasted to victory with 8 overs plus to spare.