Jimmy Adams completed a classic century as Hampshire hit back strongly on a rain-shortened second day of the LV=County Championship match with Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Unbeaten on 74 overnight, but with his side still in trouble at 165 for eight, the skipper was aided by tailenders Danny Briggs and James Tomlinson, as he moved to a richly-deserved and tactically brilliant hundred off 221 balls with 12 fours.

Briggs contributed a maiden Championship half-century to a total of 264 for nine, while Tomlinson ensured Adams reached three figures by surviving 47 balls for his one not out.

Rain prevented any play after lunch, which was reached with Adams 129 not out and set to carry his bat in an innings which had looked in tatters at 97 for eight on day one.

The partnership of 128 in 37.1 overs between Adams and Briggs was a Hampshire record for the ninth wicket against Gloucestershire, beating the 112 stand shared by Tim Tremlett and Chris Smith at Cheltenham in 1986.

Briggs was the early aggressor as he looked to build on an overnight 25 and he soon helped a short delivery from Craig Miles over fine leg for six.

The left-arm spinner soon eclipsed his previous highest Championship score of 36 and moved confidently to 50 off 109 balls, with seven fours.

Adams was more watchful and appeared to survive a chance to wicketkeeper Cameron Herring off Benny Howell when on 76.

Other than that there were few errors from the opener, who blossomed as the morning session developed and lifted Howell over long-off for six to celebrate an unlikely second batting point.

Even the new ball, taken at 232 for nine, failed to inspire the Gloucestershire bowlers, although Alex Gidman did remove Briggs to a juggling catch at mid-wicket by Chris Dent with his first delivery of the innings.

Brother Will Gidman did not take the field for Gloucestershire after suffering an ankle injury on the first day and is not expected to bowl again in the match, having taken two for 14 from nine overs.

The home side, already hit by injuries to seamers Ian Saxelby, James Fuller, Liam Norwell and Paul Muchall, could ill afford another problem and their depleted attack endured a frustrating morning.

A blustery, cold wind made conditions wintry and the rain became harder as the afternoon progressed, forcing umpires Jeff Evans and Richard Illingworth to abandon any prospect of further play at 4.45pm.