It took just under two and a half sessions for Surrey to pick up the remaining seven Hampshire wickets and come away from the Rose Bowl with a crucial innings and 37 run victory and maximum Championship points.

Matthew Nicholson got the visitors off to the best possible start first thing this morning by having Hampshire’s first innings hero, James Adams, bowled second ball of the day. The Australian quick bowler’s spell epitomised everything he has done for the side since his arrival in May, as his control put the Hampshire batsmen under constant pressure.

The introduction of spin at both ends soon brought about the next breakthrough and gave Surrey an opening as the long Hampshire tail was in sight. Michael Lumb, normally an attacking batsman, was struggling with the remit of playing in such a defensive manor and Harbhajan Singh’s introduction brought his innings to an end. For the second time in the match, the left hander was trapped lbw, leaving the home team on 141 for five.

At the other end, Chris Schofield was turning the ball and together with Singh was creating pressure at both ends. This soon told, as Sean Ervine attempted a sweep shot only to be struck on the pad, with the ball pitching on and straightening, giving the umpire no choice but to give him out. Shortly after, Shaun Udal was beaten in the flight by Schofield with his subsequent edge carrying nicely into the hands of Mark Butcher at slip.

Whilst the wickets tumbled, Nic Pothas tried desperately to hold out an end and prolong what was quickly becoming the inevitable. Together with overseas player Darren Powell, the stand in captain took his side through to a much needed break for lunch, with the score on 191 for seven.

Upon resumption, it was the spin of Singh that got the breakthrough for Surrey, with Powell chipping the ball up to short extra cover for an entertaining 25. However a remarkable partnership between Hampshire’s number ten, David Griffiths, and Pothas meant for a frustrating time for the Brown Caps, as the pair batted through the remainder of the afternoon session to give the home team some hope. Pothas doggedly went past his half century whilst his partner looked solid on 19 as the Hawks went into the break on 263 for eight.

The extraordinary rearguard continued and as it went on Hampshire looked increasingly likely to save the match. However, Butcher turned to his chief quick, Nicholson and upon his re-introduction into the attack, he picked up the vital breakthrough for Surrey. It was the all important wicket of Pothas, who was adjudged lbw for a fantastic 92.

In the following over, Schofield finished matters off for the Brown Caps, picking up the wicket of James Bruce, caught behind without scoring. This vital wicket gave Surrey victory by an innings and 37 runs and more importantly maximum Championship points.

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