JAMES Vince's first century of the season and Kyle Abbott's impressive debut ensured Hampshire dominated the second day of their LV County Championship match against Gloucestershire.
Vice-captain Vince’s fourth century in six Championship matches, 144 from only 184 balls, ensured Hampshire amassed maximum batting points before closing on 417-9 – a lead of 113.
Abbott had set the tone as Gloucestershire, having resumed on 292-5, collapsed to 304 all out, losing their last five wickets for eight runs.
Bowling fast and straight, the South African took two wickets in his second over of the day before finishing with 5-67.
After Tom Smith was caught down the leg side - a fifth dismissal for Adam Wheater - James Fuller’s off stump was flattened when he left alone an away swinger.
James Tomlinson (4-68) took the other wickets to fall. And Abbott joined the likes of former Hampshire overseas stars Shane Bond and Imran Tahir by completing a five-for in his first game when fellow debutant Will Tavare (139) nicked to second slip.
Vince hit 23 fours and a six against the county that once hoped to sign him.
He put on 111 in 23 overs with Will Smith (41) and kept going when Hampshire slipped to 213-6.
The rest of Hampshire’s top five failed to capitalise on encouraging starts and Joe Gatting and Sean Ervine were seen off cheaply in successive overs.
But Vince responded by sharing a record stand of 155 in just 28 overs with Wheater (it surpassed Chris Smith and Raj Maru’s 126 at Bristol in 1991 as Hampshire’s highest seventh-wicket partnership against Gloucestershire).
Wheater could yet make his third century in seven Championship matches after finishing the day unbeaten on 81 (99 balls, 11 fours).
Matt Coles’ 14-ball 25 was followed by a golden duck for Abbott, who has at least saved his energy for Gloucestershire’s second innings.
Not since 2008 have Hampshire won a Championship match away from home with maximum points.
But with the weather in their favour they should do exactly that in the next 24 hours - and in doing so claim their first Championship win at Bristol since 1993.
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