HAMPSHIRE had to settle for a draw after a dramatic end to their inaugural Specsavers County Championship day/night match.

They began the final day by taking the last two Somerset wickets for 12 runs, to secure a first-innings lead of 64.

After extending it to 160, yet more rain interrupted their second innings at 96-5.

So George Bailey declared before the 7.10pm resumption, setting Somerset 161 to win in 31 overs.

The visitors were comfortable at 68-3 but Hampshire reduced them to 84-8 before being denied a third win in four games.

James Vince raised hopes with a spectacular early catch in the covers, diving high to his left to see off Marcus Trescothick in Gareth Berg’s second over.

Three balls later, the Isle of Wight-born Hose nicked a Berg beauty with no addition to the score.

James Hildreth had taken a stunning low catch at first slip to see off Rilee Rossouw.

But he was bowled by a Kyle Abbott yorker while attempting to keep up with the required rate.

And after putting on 41 in eight overs with Davies, debutant Ed Byrom (15) was bowled by Holland immediately after crunching the Aussie for four.

When Tom Abell was caught by Rilee Rossouw at first slip after trying to get off the mark with a reverse sweep against Liam Dawson, Somerset’s hopes of a win were severely diminished.

The required rate had crept up to more than a run-a-ball.

Their sole objective was to save the game when Holland, bowling around the wicket to the left-handed Davies, claimed another wicket to reduce Somerset to 79-7.

After excelling in a pinch-hitter’s role, Davies chipped Holland to mid-off for a 40-ball 47.

Eight overs later, and with only three runs added as seven players crowded the bat, Lewis Gregory was lbw to Berg after shouldering arms as the ball cut back on to his back leg.

There were three overs left of a thrilling denouement.

After much criticism of the pink ball, this was a wonderful advert for day-night Championship cricket.

Except the crowd was pitifully small, with no sign of any punters taking the chance to watch this thrilling climax for nothing.

There were many more in the Hilton Hotel for a school prom than in the stands.

Those present roared their approval when Abbott had Tim Groenewald caught behind with seven balls left.

But Somerset’s ninth-wicket pair clung on during a brilliant last over from Berg.

Hampshire were convinced they had Craig Overton caught behind off the first ball, but Somerset had a draw at 9.34pm.

“I was proud of the way the boys fought that out,” said Hamshire captain Bailey. 

“I had my heart in by mouth when they started to get a bit of a partnership three wickets down, but we had seen all game it was so difficult to score on especially when the ball got old.

“We thought there was enough in our favour if we could put them under enough pressure.

“The declaration wasn’t ideal as we have had to fight the weather a bit. 

“But we were trying to work out how the game could progress as the wicket was hard enough that a result was always a possibility regardless of the weather.

“We knew Somerset would be keen to try for a win with the table how it is.

“We would have liked a few more runs and a few more overs and married the two up but both teams played a good game of cricket.”

Hampshire have the chance to build on today's momentum against Surrey at The Oval on Monday.

Hampshire bowling: Berg 9-3-17-3, Abbott 9-1-33-2, Holland 4-0-23-2, Dawson 8-3-15-1, Wheal 1-1-0-0