HAMPSHIRE enjoyed an excellent day in their battle to avoid relegation in the Specsavers County Championship.

They ended the first day of their must-win game against Durham in a dominant position on 370-6 - knowing a draw may even be enough to keep them in the first division.

Nearest rivals Warwickshire, the county Hampshire have to catch to stay in the Championship’s top flight, were bowled out for 219 by Lancashire at Edgbaston.

Having gained a solitary batting point, Warwickshire are now vulnerable to a 12-point Hampshire draw, which James Vince’s side should achieve - at the very least - in the next few days.

The foundations for a formidable total were laid by Jimmy Adams and Will Smith’s 111-run opening partnership.

It was their third century stand of the season, followed unions of 191 and 160 against Lancashire and Durham in July and August, and came at nearly four an over.

Adams, having reached fifty for the eighth time this season, chopped on attempting to cut Scott Borthwick’s leg-spin for 51 (80 balls, seven fours) just before lunch .

Tom Alsop (one) was lbw to the first ball after the interval, from off-spinner Ryan Pringle.

But James Vince was in magnificent touch before departing in disappointing fashion.

Hampshire’s captain raced to a 48-ball fifty, adding 102 in 21 overs with Smith, who was out for 90 when he mistimed a drive against Brydon Carse to point.

Vince continued to play his shots on what is already a spin-friendly wicket, stroking some glorious cover drives and hitting Pringle for six over long-on.

He and the in-form Sean Ervine added another 57 before he was run out in tame fashion for 92 (109 balls, 12 fours, one six).

When Ervine called for a risky single after hitting straight to Ben Stokes at cover, Vince did not get out of third gear before being run out.

It was not a direct hit from Stokes, but Vince, despite being on the cusp of his second Championship century of the season, was not in the frame when the bails were taken off.

Ervine, having passed 1,000 Championship runs for the first time, added another 48 with Liam Dawson.

After reaching fifty for the fifth time in six innings, he was caught at first slip by Paul Collingwood off Pringle, who claimed his third wicket when Ryan McLaren was lbw on the back foot.

But with Liam Dawson providing composure and batting depth, Hampshire only need 30 runs from the first 13 overs of day two to get all five available batting points.

They will do their best not to be distracted by events at Edgbaston, but they may only need a couple of bowling points and a draw to secure their first division status.

So far, so good.