Hampshire will be in the LV County Championship's second division again next year after losing their penultimate game of the season by 122 runs against Essex today.
Needing an unlikely 425 for the win that would have kept alive their chances of an immediate return to the first division going into next week's final game at Derby, Hampshire were bowled out for 302.
Jimmy Adams (139no; 247 balls, 19 fours, one six) led from the front and carried his bat for the first time when David Griffiths (21) played on, having put on 62 with his captain.
But Adams did not get the support he needed from his top order after Liam Dawson was caught and bowled in the penulitmate over of the morning for a fluent 90, having helped put on160 in 42 overs.
