Nic Pothas began his second season with Hampshire as he should have ended his first - with his maiden ton for the county.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Pothas was out for 99 against Surrey in his last championship innings of 2002 but finished unbeaten on 146 yesterday.

The Johannesburg-born Greek passport holder scored 597 first class runs at an average of 23.33 in his first season.

But he decided not to play during the last South African season for the first time in TEN years.

Unbeaten on 110 overnight, he was rewarded with a very happy Easter at New Road, after an innings made up of 279 balls, including 23 fours and two sixes, one of which was flicked off his legs off Mark Harrity.

If there was one criticism of his knock it was that he did not shield Alan Mullally and Ed Giddins, Hampshire's Easter bunnies, from the strike as well as he might.

But, after a chanceless six hours at the crease, he was happy with a knock he rated as his best for Hampshire since his two fifties against Warwickshire at Edgbaston last year.

Pothas, who put on 182 for the fifth wicket with John Crawley, said: "I'm very happy. I should have got the hundred at Surrey so this is a big load off my shoulders - but it was hard work out there.

"I wasn't really up to scratch last year. It was an experimental season for me in the championship. I was happy with how I played in one-day cricket last year but, by my standards, I was disappointed with how I did in the four-day game.

"I went away and thought about what I needed to do to play better in the championship over the winter and decided not to play too much cricket.

"I'm a hard worker but sometimes I can work a bit too hard. I feel much better for the rest."

Former Gauteng batsman Pothas, 29, added: "I spoke to Robin Smith about my technique and he felt that I needed to hit the ball a little later and be a bit more patient as the wickets here are different, they're slower.

"But I'm more used to them now and I know this is going to be a much better season for me."

Pothas is in the last year of the two-year contract he signed last year but begins his second season with the county as the senior wicketkeeper following Adi Aymes's departure.

"There is a breath of fresh air this season," he added.

"Ed Giddins is a top bowler and great value in the dressing room and Wasim Akram really wants to win a trophy this season. All the additions have been for the best, PT (Paul Terry) is very knowledgeable and has been a great help."