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Six for Archie but Hampshire hold on
Archie Vaughan claimed six wickets on the final day of this Rothesay County Championship clash against Hampshire at the Cooper Associates County Ground but the visitors held on to frustrate their hosts and all but end Somerset’s title aspirations.
Vaughan finished with career best figures of six for 96 and Jack Leach bowled 33 maidens but it wasn’t enough to prevent the game ending in a rain affected draw.
The home faithful had been buoyed by the news of Surrey’s defeat against Nottinghamshire, which had left the door ajar for third placed Somerset, but Hampshire battened down the hatches to take a share of the points.
Resuming on 35 for one, Hampshire had added just two runs to their overnight total in five overs when Fletcha Middleton was caught at leg slip off Vaughan for nine from 77 balls.
Hampshire had set their stall out to frustrate the home side and just 20 runs came from the following 18 overs, nine of which were maidens.
The visitor’s obdurate resistance was finally broken again by Vaughan when Albert (10 from 52) was trapped lbw at 57 for three.
By the time the lunch interval arrived the score had crawled to 82 for three.
Hampshire eventually reached three figures in the 77th over.
The score had reached 121 before Somerset made the next breakthrough and it was Vaughan again. Nick Gubbins (37 off 203) was the batter to go, Kasey Aldridge taking a sharp catch on his knees close in.
Jack Leach then got in on the action, trapping Ben Brown lbw for 36. Tea was immediately taken with Hampshire on 129/5.
After the break, Washington Sundar and Felix Organ took their side to 176 and at this stage the draw looked like the most likely result. However, the former was bowled through the gate by Vaughan for a hard fought 46 as Somerset breathed new life into a game which had looked to be heading towards stalemate. That wicket, coupled with the news drifting through from the Kia Oval, injected fresh energy into the match.
With bowler’s tails up and fielders surrounding the bat, the home side pressed for victory.
The seventh wicket fell with the score on 185, and with only 22 minutes remaining, courtesy of a superb catch from Josh Thomas, on as a concussion substitute for Tom Abell. Fielding on his knees, he leapt forward to take the grab to remove Organ for four and give Leach his ninth wicket of the match.
Just when you thought the drama couldn’t increase, James Fuller inexplicably attempted to flick Vaughan through the leg side and was bowled between his legs to leave Hampshire eight down with just 11 minutes remaining.
Despite the best efforts of Vaughan and Leach, Hampshire held on.
Somerset claim 16 points and Hampshire take 10.
