Hampshire 224/6 (25/25 ov) HAMPSHIRE SQUEEZE TO TWO-RUN VICTORY
 
Hampshire clinched a pulsating two-run victory over Essex on Sunday in their first home NatWest Pro40 League match of the season at The Rose Bowl.
 
In a fixture reduced to 25 overs after heavy overnight rain, Hampshire posted a daunting total of 224-6. Essex fell just short at 222-9 in reply.
 
Left-handers Michael Lumb (62) and Sean Ervine (57) led the way as Hampshire launched an early onslaught. The 100 came uip in the 11th over for the loss of only one wicket.
 
Lumb's runs came off 40 balls in an innings that contained seven fours and two sixes. Ervine, back from injury, cracked seven fours in a 38-ball knock.
 
Both players were run out in the chase for runs. Lumb's dismissal made the score 109-2 and Ervine  was the next to go with Hampshire on 154-3 in the 18th over.
 
Michael Carberry, another left-hander, finished with an unbeaten 35 as the last three overs yielded 41 crucial runs.
 
James Bruce took the first two wickets when Essex batted and at 56-4 the visitors were in trouble. But Grant Flower (58) and James Foster (61) fought back with a fifth-wicket stand that brought Essex up to the required run-rate. But both men holed out, Foster's dismissal giving pace bowler Daren Powell the second of his four wickets.
 
Powell then shot out Ryan ten Doeschate and Graham Napier in a crucial 22nd over that cost only three runs.
 
Andy Bichel, the Australian who played for Hampshire in 2005, was Essex's last hope. Bichel reached 22 before taking another two runs off the final delivery, bowled by the canny Shaun Udal, when Essex needed four for a tie and a six for victory.
 
HAMPSHIRE 224-6 (25 overs): Lumb 62, Ervine 57, Carberry 35 not out, Bopara 2-44; ESSEX 222-9 (25 overs): Foster 61, G.Flower 58, Powell 4-30, Bruce 2-48.
 
HAMPSHIRE won by two runs.

The world renowned Royal Marines Band perfomed twice at The Rose Bowl before the start of the match.  The day raised money for the Royal Marines Association,  Wessex Medical Research and the Hampshire Youth Trust.  

Corporate guests of Wessex Medical Research and the Royal Marines Association enjoyed hospitality in the Hampshire Suite during the day.

The proceeds of the 'Golden Gamble' and the match day collection were shared between the charities.  Hampshire Cricket would like to thank collection volunteers from the Members of the Royal Marines Association and Wessex Medical Research for their support during the day.

We would like to thank all supporters for their generosity.   
 
* Hampshire's next NatWest Pro40 League match is this Wednesday (August 1st) when they meet Nottinghamshire under The Rose Bowl floodlights. The match starts at 4.40pm.

Essex 222/9 (25.0/25 ov)
 
Essex RR 8.88
Hampshire RR 8.96

Scorecard

Hampshire's top-scorer Lumb  62 off 40 balls (Photo - Robin Jones Digital South)

Lumb run-out  (Photo - Robin Jones Digital South)

The Royal Marines Band performing at The Rose Bowl  (Photo - Robin Jones Digital South)

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