JOHN FRANCIS and James Hamblin both batted superbly on the first day of Hampshire seconds' championship match against Surrey at The Oval, although in slightly contrasting styles.

The pair came together when Hampshire were faltering at 61-5, and put on over a hundred for the seventh wicket, a highly valuable partnership, in the second eleven's seventh championship game.

Francis showed a fantastic temperament during his 89, which came from an even 200 balls, and included 14 boundaries.

His unflappability was a vital asset in a tough early period, but his shot selection was spot-on in a chanceless innings, until he was bowled slightly fortuitously from the rough outside his leg stump.

Hamblin played a dashing innings of 64, from just 67 balls, but it was equally as important as Francis's staunch knock. He cut and drove powerfully, and his second 50 of the season turned the impetus back towards Hampshire.

Francis also shared a 50 partnership with Brunnschweiler (48). Irfan Shah along with Charlie Van der Gucht both played well in steering their side up to a good total of 290.

In the last two championship games the second eleven have posted first innings scores of 130 and 136, against Nottinghamshire and Somerset, so yesterday's effort was an improvement, although the Oval track is certainly a good one.

They had just under an hour to have a crack at the Surrey top order, and both Hamblin and Zac Morris had close lbw appeals turned down, with the score at the end of play being 51-0.