Hampshire Hawks completed a resounding victory over near neighbours Sussex Sharks at the Rose Bowl to leap into third place in the Norwich Union League Division II table.

Excellent work by the Rose Bowl ground staff after early morning rain meant a prompt start. Hampshire introduced a young left-arm seamer to the team, James Tomlinson in for Alan Mullally who was being rested, and brought in Lawrence Prittipaul for Robin Smith who is still troubled slightly by his back, Will Kendall again captaining the side.

Neil Johnson and Derek Kenway gave the Hawks a super start with an opening stand of 78 in 16 overs, but the middle order faltered before Nic Pothas kept company with Johnson in a 52 run stand. Johnson was finally out for 92 in 110 balls that enabled in the murky conditions to bring the home side past the 200 mark.

The Sharks started badly losing Will House and Tim Ambrose with four on the board, Tomlinson taking a wicket with his second ball on his Hampshire debut, he also accounted for Richard Montgomerie soon after.

Chris Adams and Murray Goodwin shared a half century stand to rally the visitors, but both fell to the guile of Shaun Udal, and the rest of the reply folder ignominiously. Udal finished with four wickets, and Nic Pothas equalled the Hampshire Sunday League wicket-keeping record of Bobby Parks and Adi Aymes of 5 in an innings, but beat the most catches record.

© Hampshire Cricket