Tavare holds up Hampshire

The home side reached 292 for five at stumps on the first day, and it was largely down to Tavare's efforts as he reached 135 not out.

The nephew of former England batsman Chris Tavare marked his appearance in style and after some early scares, when he might have been snared in the slips, he reached three figures with a six off Liam Dawson.

The 24-year-old Bristolian was ably assisted in a key second-wicket partnership by captain Michael Klinger, who scored 81 runs off 168 balls before being caught behind off Hampshire's new South African signing, Kyle Abbott.

The fall of Klinger's wicket preceded the departures of Abbott's second victim Alex Gidman (nought), and Hamish Marshall (four).

James Tomlinson had dismissed Chris Dent for six in the morning – his 300th first-class wicket for Hampshire – and he removed New Zealander Marshall in the first over following tea.

Will Gidman appeared late in the day to steady the innings and put 55 more runs on the board before perishing to Sean Ervine.

At the start of the day, Tavare was involved sooner than Gloucestershire would have liked, after Dent fell in the seventh over.

The new batsman had built a half-century partnership with opener Klinger by the end of the 21st over, and Gloucestershire ended the morning session on 92 for one.

Australian Klinger was caught by Adam Wheater off Abbott after an innings in which he plundered 14 fours. Two deliveries later Alex Gidman edged to the wicketkeeper for a duck and Abbott had his second wicket.

Marshall, who scored over 1,000 Championship runs last season, added four in a brief partnership with Tavare before Wheater caught him behind, this time off Tomlinson's bowling.

Will Gidman then contributed his own half-century to the cause before being caught behind off Ervine for 55 from 100 balls faced, while Tavare remained safe and able to turn his thoughts to pursuing a double century on Monday.