Dawson's best can't stop Somerset

Somerset 513 and 114 for 1 beat Hampshire 285 and 341 by nine wickets
Scorecard

Not even a career-best 169 from Liam Dawson could save Hampshire from providing Somerset with their first win of the season at the Rose Bowl. Somerset had little trouble in chasing a target of 114 and, despite the early loss of their captain Marcus Trescothick, they got home with nine wickets to spare.

Hampshire's defeat was their second of the season and leaves them in trouble after a second innings collapse. They were still 16 behind when play resumed on the fourth day with Dawson 103 not out and the score 212 for 3.

But apart from Dawson's defiance, Hampshire put up little resistance, losing their last seven wickets in adding 129 and that was never going to be enough. Pace bowler Peter Trego did most of the damage ending with figures of 4 for 74 as Hampshire quickly fell away, their last four batsmen being dismissed for just 13 runs.

James Vince was the first to go at 245, leg before to Trego, and from then on Hampshire's batting became processional. Nic Pothas was fifth out at 264, again leg before but this time to Steve Kirby, armed with a new ball.

Sean Ervine was caught at the wicket off Charl Willoughby attempting an extravagant pull but Hampshire still had hope all the while Dawson was at the other end. Hampshire's captain Dominic Cork was bowled by Trego at 328 and Dawson's efforts came to an end finally at 333.

Again Trego was the bowler and Dawson was leg before pushing forward and with Hampshire now in a hopeless position at 105 ahead. Dawson's innings included 26 fours and came off 308 balls.

The end was not long in coming, Danny Briggs was bowled by Kirby for one and in the next over David Griffiths was another leg before victim for the hard-working Trego. Hampshire were all out for 341 leaving Somerset plenty of time to wrap up a morale-boosting victory.

Trescothick, who scored 228 in the first innings, pulled Briggs for six and looked in imperious form again until he was beaten for pace by Friedel de Wet after making 23. But there was no respite for Hampshire with Arul Suppiah and Nick Compton knocking off the 83 runs still required without semblance of a chance.