Hampshire v Somerset

Hampshire faced top of the table, Somerset at Paultons in a must win fixture if they were to secure Group qualification.Somerset elected to bat first and after an early Hants wicket when Rudder bowled skipper Ashton, put on 123 for the 2nd wicket before Stephenson 63 & Ashfold 52 were out in quick succession. Whilst wickets fell steadily, Somerset maintained a good scoring rate with Clarke adding a rapid 61 and it was Rawlins with 3 wickets who restricted Somerset to a useful 260-8.In reply, Hampshire openers Harris and Owen were contained by Somerset's bowling attack. Owen was stumped for 34 and when Swain was caught at mid off with the total on 93, the Seniors looked in trouble. Hall joined Harris & 150 runs were needed from the final 15 overs - a target that looked beyond the Seniors batsmen. Hall upped the tempo & Harris responded - with Hall surviving 3 dropped catches the pair put on 121 in 13 overs before Harris was caught behind for 93. It was left to Rawlins 23*  and Hall 79* (his best score for the Seniors) to see Hampshire home with an over to spare. A remarkable victory in the circumstances - qualification now seems assured - possibly even a top of the table finish depending on other Group results.

Report by Dick Batchelor - Scorer

Hampshire stats

Batsman                     How Out                   Runs

John Harris                   caught                          93

Geoff Owen                 stumped                       34                         

Mike Swain                  caught                          6

Martin Hall                   not out                         79                   

Alan Wright                  run out                          1  

Terry Rawlins               not out                         23  

Mark Tiplady            

Andy Yorke                                        

Andy Pryce                                           

Jim Smallbone                                                   

Stan Rudder                                        

Total    (Extras 15, wkts 4 overs 44)        261

Bowlers 

Stan Rudder      9.0                  47        1

Andy Pryce        9.0     2          33        0

Terry Rawlins     9.0                 63        3

Mark Tiplady     7.0                 35        1

Andy Yorke       5.0                 37        0

Jim Smallbone    6.0                 35        2

Totals               45.0     2        260       8