TWO sessions of play were lost to the rain in Hampshire second XI's latest championship game against Surrey at The Oval.

Hampshire picked up three Surrey wickets for 99 runs in the 35 overs bowled during the morning session.

Surrey resumed on 51-0, but James Hamblin got Hampshire off to a good start when he trapped Newman lbw in his second over of the morning.

Hamblin bowled an excellent opening spell, hitting a great line and length while, at the other end, James Tomlinson bowled with real pace.

The young South Wilts left-armer caught the Surrey opener a nasty blow to the side of the helmet, and was unfortunate to have an appeal for caught behind turned down a short time later.

Hamblin grabbed a second wicket with a slower ball, caught by Irfan Shah at mid-on, taking the score to 102-2.

Shah and Charlie Van der Gucht both bowled well on a pitch that didn't offer too much turn, but neither managed to take a wicket.

John Stephenson, however, showed his experience, as he bowled a very tidy spell, and took Hampshire's third wicket. He nipped one back to the right hander, trapping him plumb in front, when the score was on 121.

With two days left, there is still plenty of time for Hampshire to attempt to clinch their seventh victory out of seven for the season.