Hampshire (512 & 37-2) drew with Somerset (524)

Points: Hampshire (7), Somerset (8)

Hampshire avoided defeat for the first time this season when their LV= County Championship match against Somerset ended in a bore draw.

Slow left-armers Rangana Herath and Liam Dawson took Somerset’s last four first-innings wickets between them as the visitors were bowled out for 524 just after lunch, having resuming the final day on 441-6.

After beginning their second innings 12 runs behind, Hampshire lost openers Michael Carberry and Jimmy Adams cheaply.

Both left-handers nicked the wily Charl Willoughby to Marcus Trescothick at first slip but hands were shaken following a heavy shower after Neil McKenzie (20*) and Liam Dawson (13*) had taken Hampshire to 37-2.

Dawson claimed the first wicket of the day and his first of the season when Damien Wright sent a leading edge to Sean Ervine at mid off.

Herath took 3 for 17 after polishing off the tail. Ben Phillips chopped on before Herath took the last two wickets with successive deliveries either side of lunch.

The Sri Lankan will be on a hat-trick against Notts at Trent Bridge next week after dismissing teenage centurion Jos Buttler and last man Charl Willoughby.

Buttler finally holed out to Dawson at deep mid-on for a magnificent maiden first-class century in only his fourth match.

And Willoughby was bowled when the first delivery after the interval shot along the ground.

Hampshire took seven points from the game but Somerset have extended their lead over the first division’s bottom county after gaining an extra bowling point.