Derbyshire fail to reach meagre Hampshire total

Hampshire recorded their fifth win in seven National League matches with a 16- run victory over Derbyshire in a low-scoring match at the Rose Bowl.

Chasing Hampshire's modest 155 all out, Derbyshire lost in the last over with their last five wickets falling for 11 runs in a belated attempt to accelerate.

At one stage with Rob Bailey and Mathew Dowman in a full-cry stand of 65 for the fifth wicket, Derbyshire needed only another 58 and with 12 overs in hand.

But from the moment Dowman was out for 35, mistiming a drive against Alan Mullally, Derbyshire fell away in spectacular style.

Dominic Cork and James Pyemont kept Bailey company for a time and at 128 for 5, there was still plenty of time for the Scorpions.

But the return of Mullally to the Hampshire attack and some determined fielding led to a loss of nerve which even affected the previously obdurate Bailey who had faced 97 balls in making 40. Bailey went down the wicket to Shaun Udal and was caught in the deep looking for what would have been only his third boundary.

Derbyshire's last three wickets fell in four balls to leave them to contemplate their sixth defeat of the season. Mullally took three for 19 and Chris Tremlett three for 15 to confirm his growing value to Robin Smith's side.

Smith might have regretted choosing to bat first when Jason Laney was out to the first ball of the match and Neil Johnson followed soon afterwards both to Dominic Cork.

Cork also ended Hampshire's best stand of the innings, a paltry 40 for the fifth wicket between Will Kendall and Lawrence Prittipaul.

Cork celebrated his Test squad selection with three for 38 while Paul Aldred never allowed Hampshire to gain the upper hand in taking three for 17 from his nine tight overs.