HAMPSHIRE were thwarted by Liam Plunkett and the weather in their bid to clinch promotion from Division Two of the County Championship yesterday.

After the first two days of their match against Durham at Chester-le-Street were washed out they dismissed the hosts for 217, only to slip to 50 for five before rain ended play with 50 minutes left.

Plunkett took four wickets for 30 runs, with three of his victims edging to wicketkeeper Phil Mustard and the other to second slip.

Still only 19, Plunkett's previous best this season was four for 48 at the Rose Bowl in the first match - but this is only his fourth game since knee and back injuries.

Australian Simon Katich was the sole batsman to impress when Hampshire replied.

Back on the ground where he played in 2001, Katich looked in a different class from any other batsman after coming in with Hampshire on seven for two.

But after making 27 of the next 42 runs, he shaped to steer Plunkett through gully and readjusted too late to avoid edging to Mustard.