Law takes second chance

Hampshire 188-8 Lancashire 189-6 Lancashire win by 4 wkts

The third umpire Vanburn Holder disallowed a slip catch by Hampshire's Neil Johnson that would have dismissed Stuart Law. The powerful Australian, recently returned after a broken thumb, went on to score 10 fours before being given run out, by Holder, after adding another 41.

Law, Lancashire's overseas player, had made a crisp 23 when, in the 12th over, he nicked Chris Tremlett to slip where Johnson claimed a low scoop. The moment the replay appeared on screen the crowd booed, Law lingered on his walk back, umpires Allan Jones and Ian Gould conferred, signalling Law to wait. When the "Not out" also appeared on screen the Hampshire captain Will Kendall was still questioning both umpires. Johnson appeared to apologise as Law returned to the crease.

Lancashire had lost David Byas, chasing a wide ball, in the second over before Law and Mark Chilton seemingly put them into a winning position. Hampshire's tight bowling and fielding took the result into the last over, Warren Hegg hitting the winning boundary with two balls to spare.

Jason Laney had kept Hampshire's tattered flag flying amid a Lancashire barrage that at one point threatened to bring a match played in ideal conditions, before a 6,591 crowd, to a premature finish. Lancashire fielded four fast bowlers including the newcomer Sajid Mahmood, 20, Bolton born and from the Bolton League club Egerton, a tall sinewy right-hander.

Hampshire's start was sensible until Johnson and John Francis were caught behind. Shaun Udal was then run out and Lawrence Prittipaul, surprised by pace, played on.

Laney attacked when the opportunity offered; he took two boundaries off Wood when the line wavered in one over and then punished Anderson for two more. What seemed like a genuine revival was under way, 26 runs in six overs, when Nic Pothas edged behind.

Kendall gave attractive support as Laney reached his first National League 50 for a year. A successful sixth wicket stand had all but doubled Hampshire's score, in 17 overs, when another long throw, this time from Sajid, proved fatal, Kendall this time being run out. Laney's retaliation was a straight six off Sajid. When Anderson pitched legside he, too, went into the crowd but a fine innings ended on 71, when the next ball thudded low into his pad.