A DEFIANT last-wicket stand by Derek Kenway and Peter Hartley transformed the County Championship clash between Middlesex and Hampshire at Lord's.

Hampshire started the third day just 29 runs ahead on first-innings total.

But the 99 put on by Kenway and Hartley established a 123-run advantage to put the pressure firmly back on Mark Ramprakash's side.

Ramprakash (62) and Mike Roseberry, who made an unbeaten 73, responded to the challenge well by sharing a century stand and by the close Middlesex had reached 178 -3 for a 55-run lead.

On a pitch ready-made for free scoring Hampshire helped themselves to boundaries with the zeal of a team chasing a massive one-day total.

Only Phil Tufnell managed to preserve his dignity as the Hampshire lower order fought a determined rearguard action.

Hartley was chiefly respon-sible for Middlesex's red faces with a 67-ball half-century earned in style with a mammoth six pulled effortlessly into the grandstand. Kenway treated poor deliveries with equal disdain to finish unbeaten on a career-best 75.

After frustrating the Middlesex attack for more than 90 minutes last man Hartley finally took one risk too many, hoisting a simple catch to Roseberry having made 58.

With little for bowlers to exploit on a flat and true bat-ting track the Middlesex opening pair seemed confi-dent even against the hostile bowling of West Indian international Nixon McLean.

Justin Langer raced off the mark in typical swashbuckling Australian style. But he failed to judge a quicker McLean delivery and was lbw for 17.

Ramprakash joined Rose-berry and immediately set about steadying the ship with an assured captain's innings.

Whilst his partner slowly mapped his way towards a half-century, Ramprakash took full advantage of Hampshire skipper Robin Smith's defensive field. The partnership passed the 100 barrier with both batsmen looking increasingly comfortable at the crease.

Hampshire's top wicket-taker Alex Morris searched hard for the breakthrough but it was the measured bowling of John Stephenson that finally reaped dividends.

Ramprakash mistimed a leg glance and saw his innings end on 62 in the safe hands of Dmitri Mascarenhas.

Richard Kettleborough followed moments later, trapped lbw by Shaun Udal as Hampshire struggled to regain the initiative.

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