HAMPSHIRE pulled off an impressive victory in a crucial round of the County Championship in Division One, defeating Warwickshire by 60 runs in a thrilling encounter.

Going into the final day, with Warwickshire starting on 139 for two, the equation was set. Warwickshire needed 157 runs and Hampshire needed eight wickets, with the latter being pulled off, as Warwickshire were bowled out for 235.

Warwickshire made a resilient start to the chase in the morning, managing to hold off some threatening bowling from Hampshire on a pitch which they injected some life into after it looked to be flattening out in the sun. However, three wickets fell in the morning session to put Hampshire on the front foot.

Rob Yates, after gritting through his innings was trapped lbw by James Fuller for 77 from 229 balls in a debatable decision. A decision that seemed to change the tone of the Warwickshire innings.

Shortly after, Sam Hain was caught behind for 18 off the bowling of Mohammad Abbas who returned to the field after his ankle injury the previous evening. Will Rhodes fell to the same dismissal, caught behind off Abbas for 17, as Warwickshire went into lunch on 195 for five.

After the lunch interval, Hampshire put themselves firmly in the driving seat, as Warwickshire lost their final five wickets for just 23 runs, as the visitors never let any partnership damage their chances of victory.

Matthew Lamb, who looked to be playing through some back pain, remained resilient throughout the collapse around him, but the Warwickshire lower order couldn’t provide the support necessary to see them over the line.

Michael Burgess gave Keith Barker, the former Bear, his first wicket of the innings, as Burgess edged behind for 11. Danny Briggs, then followed, trapped lbw by Fuller for his second wicket.

Next ball, Liam Dawson came into the attack and got the eighth wicket, of Craig Miles, edging to first slip without scoring, as Dawson finished with impressive figures of three for 42. He was not out of the game yet either, in the next over Liam Norwell was ran out in a contentious decision that saw Warwickshire reduced to 233 for nine.

The game was wrapped up by Brad Wheal getting Chemar Holder edging behind, with Hampshire taking the win with an all-round excellent bowling effort on day four.

The result sees Hampshire go to 38.5 points, with Warwickshire going to 36 points in Division 1, in a County Championship that is still all to play for.