HAMPSHIRE bowler Billy Taylor fulfilled a boyhood dream when he took his maiden five-wicket haul for his home county.

Southampton-born Taylor, 27 was given the chance to play first class cricket by south coast neighbours Sussex after being rejected by Hampshire as a teenager.

But, in his third championship match for the county he used to watch as a schoolboy, ex-Bitterne Park pupil Taylor took career best figures of 5-73 to help Hampshire secure their fourth win in six games against Essex at Chelmsford.

The second five-for of his career bettered the 5-80 he recorded for Sussex against Warwickshire at Edgbaston two years ago and took his tally for the season to 13 at an average 18.85 runs apiece.

Taylor, pictured above, said: "It's been a long time coming. I've wanted to play for Hampshire since I was a young lad, so it's been a long wait to get my first five-for.

"The wicket suited my bowling as I hit the deck hard and got it in the right areas to get the most out of it.

"I bowled as well as I have done but there's a lot in the bank as well."

Taylor took the wickets of openers Will Jefferson and Alastair Cook in successive overs before removing Aftab Habib and James Middlebrook with successive deliveries.

But his highlight was the uprooting of James Foster's middle stump.

"Will Jefferson the gave me a bit of tap in the one-dayers at The Rose Bowl, so it was good to get one up on him, but the fifth wicket stood out."

Taylor made 28 first class appearances for Sussex in five seasons at Hove and was only playing at Chelmsford because Alan Mullally returned to Southampton on compassionate leave after the day-night defeat on the same wicket.

He added; "The guys have performed well in the games that I haven't been in and I'm happy, because, when I was at Sussex, I still wouldn't have played any four-day cricket at this time of the year. The three games that I have played are bonus games for me.

"It was a shame that Al had to go on Tuesday night but I was glad that I got the opportunity for this match.

"I didn't know if I would, or if Warney was going to play an extra batter, but I just want to play all the time and bowl well."