Hampshire face defeat despite brave Kenway innings

Hampshire are looking defeat in the face after being forced to follow on at The Rose Bowl, in their Frizzell County Championship match against Somerset. A brave innings from Derek Kenway who remains unbeaten on 94 has held up what seems inevitable on Saturday, providing the weather holds.

It did not take Somerset long to polish off the Hampshire innings in the morning, when the two former Hampshire players Nixon McLean and Simon Francis dismissed Shaun Udal, Chris Tremlett and James Bruce for the addition of just 6 runs to the overnight tally.

Hampshire were invited to follow on and soon lost their skipper John Crawley when he edged Francis to the wicket-keeper. Simon Katich followed soon after when he edged Michael Burns, and the thoughts of a three day finish must have at least been in Somerset's mind.

Derek Kenway and Robin Smith had other ideas however, and after a slow start began to play more confidently. The pair put on 79 runs, before Smith was bowled by Gareth Andrew for an excellent 55. Will Kendall then joined Kenway and again a second half century stand was put together, before Kendall was superbly caught in the gully by Keith Dutch.

Nic Pothas and Dimitri Mascarenhas both perished to the Somerset skipper, but at close Kenway and Shaun Udal were still there. Hampshire lead by 60 runs with 4 wickets remaining.