Rain held up Warwickshire's charge for a three-day victory. Hampshire were forced to follow-on 285 behind and then slumped to 114 for four before drizzle set in early in the afternoon.

They still needed 171 to make Powell's team bat again and the loss of 60 overs in all probably saved them from a defeat inside three days on their first appearance in the Second Division of the CricInfo Championship.

New overseas signing Vasbert Drakes quickly closed down the first innings by taking the last two wickets with a catch by Keith Piper to remove James Hamblin and another at slip by Dominic Ostler to dislodge Neil Johnson for 43.

When Hampshire batted again, Piper claimed his fifth dismissal of the match - holding a thin edge from Giles White off Alan Richardson - and Drakes struck again with Ostler's assistance in grabbing a slip chance from Will Kendall.

But Derek Kenway moved to a half-century in 75 balls and put on 75 with Robin Smith before Dougie Brown reinforced Warwickshire's challenge with wickets in successive overs. Kenway (52) and Johnson (0) were both caught by Ostler at first slip, leaving Smith unbeaten on 41 when the rain arrived.

Probably the most cheering news for Hampshire - and they have not had much to shout about so far - was Smith's return to form.

After scoring only two runs in three pre-season matches in South Africa and four in the first innings here, he reached an unbeaten 41 from 78 balls. In the process he picked up five fours and pulled Neil Smith for six.

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