HAMPSHIRE achieved maximum batting points for the first time this season to keep alive their faint hopes of staying in the LV County Championship’s first division.

Liam Dawson’s first century for two years, a 212-ball 140 (18 fours), helped Hampshire amass 400-9 declared against county champions Yorkshire.

On another rain-affected day, which saw 64.5 overs bowled, Hampshire then reduced Yorkshire to 82-4.

With Sussex (409) and Somerset (114-2) taking points off at each other at Hove, Hampshire can still close the 11-point gap on at least one of the sides immediately above them in the nearest safety positions.

After resuming on 219-4 after a rain-delayed start, Hampshire batted outstandingly to secure all five batting points.

Dawson and Sean Ervine (43) extended their partnership to 124 by adding 86 in 21 overs, before the latter was stumped in the third over after lunch.

No matter. Hampshire walloped 95 from the next eight overs to secure a fifth and final batting point eight balls before the end of the 110-over bonus-point threshold.

That would have been impressive in a white-ball powerplay, let alone a first-class match.

Adam Wheater (7) did not last long but home debutant Ryan McLaren’s 21-ball 23 included a pulled first six of the match against Matthew Fisher.

He smashed a full toss to mid-on two balls later and Dawson was out all guns blazing in the following over, having made Hampshire’s highest score of the season after adding a 96-ball 93 to his overnight 47.

Dawson was given a standing ovation and Gareth Berg hit the next four balls against Middlebrook for four all around the ground on his way to an unbeaten 27 from just nine balls as Hampshire reached 400.

Hampshire’s excellent day continued – while axed England opener Adam Lyth’s worsened – when Fidel Edwards had the left-hander caught at third slip with the second ball of Yorkshire’s reply.

The two Ryans then took three big wickets in five overs on their home debuts. Stevenson (1-20) had the scalp of Gary Ballance (30) when the former England man pulled to mid-wicket, where Berg took a diving catch. 

And two of the Championship’s best players this season – Andrew Gale (3) and Jack Leaning (3) nicked off in successive overs against McLaren (2-22) as Hampshire claimed a bowling point.

Today’s forecast is appalling but Yorkshire are open to setting up a run chase.  “We’re certainly not against that,” said captain Gale. 

Dawson said: "We’re in a very good position. We set out to get full batting bonus points, we did exceptionally well to get that and we're on our way to get maximum bowling points as well."