Lewis and James put Somerset in strong position on day three
James Rew passed 50 for the fourth time in five Rothesay County Championship innings as Somerset put themselves on course to beat Hampshire.
The eye-catching Rew, whose head coach Jason Kerr touted for England honours this summer, followed his 86 in the first innings to end the day 58 not out.
They followed scores of 64, 122 and 48 in his other three innings this season – with Somerset 148 runs away from chasing 288, with seven wickets still in hand.
Lewis Gregory had earlier taken a five-wicket haul to restrict Hampshire, despite half-centuries for Nick Gubbins, Jake Lehmann and Ben Brown.
The first two days saw Somerset seemingly in complete control to Hampshire fighting back and getting their noses in front – all while the pitch swung back and forth from favouring the bat to the ball.
The morning session saw neither side find match momentum, as Hampshire grew their 96-run overnight lead to 215 against an ageing ball, but three wickets kept them in check.
Despite Jack Lehmann and James Rew looking likely, no player had managed to reach three figures in the first two innings. Like the two previous contenders, Nick Gubbins looked destined to reach three figures. It didn’t pan out that way.
A perfectly played reverse sweep off Jack Leach took him to 83 but jabbed outside next ball to depart.
Australian Lehmann was the next to try and buck the trend. He reached a half-century, for the second time in the match, with another punchy selection of drives and pulls.
He raised his bat and without scoring another run, chopped the pacy Alfie Ogborne onto his own stumps.
Opener Toby Albert retired hurt after he had extended him knee when taking a quick single on the second evening, his return was short-lived as Gregory had him leg-before.
Ben Mayes was bowled through the gate by Archie Vaughan, but Somerset wrestled back the advantage with the second new ball.
Vaughan tempted Liam Dawson into a loose leg side shot, before Gregory brought himself on, found good movement and four more wickets.
Ben Brown was the latest candidate to break the century curse, but was stopped on 66 by an inswinger.
Kyle Abbott and Eddie Jack were also bowled, before Sonny Baker was lbw – Gregory returning from a pectoral injury that had ruled him out the opening two rounds in style.
This was his first five-wicket haul against Hampshire, despite taking more wickets against the opponent than any other in first-class matches.
In his six overs with the second new ball, during which he swapped ends, he took four wickets for five runs, with overall figures of five for 42.
Vaughan saw the 287 target as one to attack, despite there being plenty of time left in the match. The opener got the chase against Essex done and dusted in quick time, and stuck six boundaries in a 30 before taking on a Baker short ball and losing for the second time in the match.
Baker swapped ends and removed the rest of the Somerset top order. Josh Thomas was plumb in front and then Tom Lammonby hooked straight to deep square leg.
Not for the first time in the match, or the season, Somerset looked to Rew and Abell to build an important partnership – they once again answered with runs.
The pair put on 87, after 101 in the first innings, with Rew doing the majority of the run scoring.
At the close of day three, Somerset’s Alfie Ogborne said: “At the end of yesterday we had a pretty glum changing room. We had an opportunity to capitalise and put the game to bed, and that didn’t happen. But today we were brilliant with bat and ball.
“The mindset of our dressing room at the moment is very confident. We know we have 11 players who can flip the game on its head at any time. We have that belief and hopefully we can get the job done.
“We have bowlers in our attack who bowl in completely different ways and that is stacked in our favour. That makes it hard for batters. It shouldn’t be a surprise that someone like Lewis Gregory has done what he has done today, given the history of the player he is.
“It’s so nice when Rew and Abell get going together. They are unbelievable players and care so much about this club, their wicket and every run. Hopefully those two get the job done tomorrow.
“Both teams are still capable of winning this game. We both know that. We are confident and the cricket we have played this year so far has shown that. We bat deep and are looking forward to it.”
