Hampshire are bottom of the LV County Championship's first division after a second defeat of the season – despite Liam Dawson’s masterful 169.

A nine-wicket defeat against pre-season favourites Somerset at The Rose Bowl leaves Hampshire at the foot of the table after three games, but Dawson's performance was a major positive.

The 21-year-old was 103 not out overnight and added 66 runs to take his tally for the season to 420 at 70 apiece.

It is doubtful whether any Hampshire player has scored as many first-class runs by the end of April, but Dawson’s efforts were in vain.

In the absence of Michael Carberry and Michael Lumb, Dawson has made the vacant opening berth alongside Adams his own.

But he lost James Vince, Nic Pothas and Sean Ervine before lunch on the final day, leaving Hampshire up against it.

Hampshire began the final day on 212 for three, having lost Neil McKenzie to the final ball of the penultimate day.

Much of today's damage was done by medium pacer Peter Trego, who should not have been allowed to be so effective on a slow, flat wicket.

The Somerset all-rounder took his first wickets of the season to finish with four for 74 as Hampshire were bowled out for 341.

It would not have taken much resistance in batter-friendly conditions for Hampshire to leave Somerset with too little time in which to complete their first win of the season.

But, for the second time in the match, Hampshire’s middle order did not show the required backbone.

Hampshire were 17 in front when Vince (7) was lbw to Trego and a good stride forward did not prevent Pothas (10) falling lbw to Steve Kirby in his first over with the second new ball.

With lunch approaching, Ervine (9) inexplicably decided to try and take on a short delivery from Charl Willoughby, only to get an edge through to wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter.</>

Dawson remained calm, reaching 150 from 288 balls with a forcing shot of the back foot against Gemaal Hussain for his 23rd four.

And Cork got off the mark with a flowing drive to the cover boundary before hitting the next ball to the fence in the same over, the last before the interval.

But Hampshire lost their last four wickets in the first 12 overs after lunch, leaving Somerset with a target of just 114 to win in the remaining 53 overs.

Trego took three of them. He bowled Cork (16) before trapping Dawson (169) and Griffiths (0) lbw to leave Hampshire up against it.

Cork played on in the fourth over of the afternoon session and Dawson was finally dismissed in Trego's next over.

Dawson faced 308 balls for his 169, including 26 fours, and apart from Adams was the only player to show any gumption.

It is hard to believe any other Hampshire bowler has been as successful as Danny Briggs during their teens but the birthday boy, who is 20 today, was the next to go, trapped lbw without scoring after playing across the line to Steve Kirby.

Griffiths, Hampshire’s other Isle of Wight product, did not put up any resistance either.

Left with a small target, Marcus Trescothick showed his intentions by swatting Briggs for six over mid wicket.

He was bowled for 23 (26 balls) by a good delivery from Friedel De Wet that clipped the top of the off stump, leaving Somerset 31-1 in the eighth over of the final innings.

But Nick Compton (47*) and Arul Suppiah (37*) put on an unbroken 83 together with the latter completing the victory with a straight six against Briggs.