MOVE over and make way for Hampshire as serious title contenders after they knocked Middlesex off the top of the PPP Healthcare County Championship.

Hampshire completed a six-wicket win over Middlesex and vice-captain Shaun Udal says: "I think people should take us seri-ously now."

A superb all-round team effort saw Hampshire top the table as clear leaders for the first time since 1992 - if you don't count the three hours they spent there last week until they were deposed.

It's dizzy heights for Hampshire and Udal joked: "I woke up yesterday morning with a nose bleed.

"I can just about remember when we last topped the table but nobody here is getting carried away. We know it's a long season ahead, but I think people will take us seriously now, especially after beating Middlesex at Lord's.

"Our first two wins were against sides people might have expected us to beat. Worcestershire were without Graeme Hick and Tom Moody their overseas player, while Durham are not the strongest team at the moment.

"But Middlesex were at the top and we beat them on their own patch. That takes some doing and it's filled us full of confidence."

Hampshire rode their way to victory on the back of another five-wicket haul from Alex Morris as they bowled Middlesex out second knock for 339. Will Kendall then prompted them to victory with an unbeaten 78, aided by Giles White's 64 and Udal said: "Will is on fire at the moment and Chalkie batted brilliantly."

But Udal reckoned the key to Hampshire's success at Lord's and to their good start is their new-found ability to turn the screw on teams.

"In the past we have had sessions where we haven't taken wickets and leaked runs. But this season even when we haven't been able to make quick breakthroughs we have kept the pressure up on the opposition by starving them of runs.

"On Saturday we conceded just 60 runs in one session and just 49 in another and that frustrates the opposition."

"Although Will and Alex are both on top of their game at the moment, we're winning because everybody is chipping in. It's a team effort and I think we can only get better.

"Robin hasn't made a big score with the bat yet and Nixon McLean is bowling well without taking a hatful of wickets. So watch us go when these two do start to click!"

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