Hampshire openers Jimmy Adams and Will Smith took full advantage of being given first use of their own pitch as Derbyshire's miserable season continued today.

Visiting captain Wayne Madsen was immediately left to regret asking the LV County Championship Division Two leaders to bat first as Adams and Smith rattled off a century stand before Adam Wheater and Sean Ervine continued the punishment later in the day.

Having seen off the early threat present on the opening morning of the game Hampshire's top two made good progress.

Adams just beat his partner to his half-century but 110 without loss at lunch quickly became 118 for three as the opener, on 60, nicked Tony Palladino's first ball of the afternoon session and was soon followed back by Joe Gatting and James Vince.

But Derbyshire, bottom of the table without a win this summer, could not capitalise as Smith and Wheater put on 109 in 24 overs.

Palladino returned to trap Smith leg before for 82, his highest score for Hampshire, and even when Wheater departed for 87 to a catch at cover just after tea Ervine ensured there was no loss of momentum.

The former Zimbabwe international shared a sixth wicket stand of 62 with Michael Bates before Tim Groenewald removed him for 47 and then quickly accounted for Matt Coles.

However, Bates' steady 27 not out off 64 balls guided the hosts to 332 for seven at the close despite the best efforts of a persevering Palladini, who finished the day with four for 83.

Scores and Hants scoreboard in tomorrow's Daily Echo