Hampshire Hawks v Gloucestershire Gladiators Pro40 9th September

Benham celebrates his century (Photo - Robin Jones - Digital South)

BENHAM HITS TON AS HANTS STAY IN TITLE RACE

Hampshire kept alive their hopes of winning the NatWest Pro40 League title after beating Gloucestershire by 14 runs in a high-scoring match watched by a bumper crowd of 6,000 at The Rose Bowl on Sunday.

After rattling up an impressive 274-5 off their 40 overs, Hampshire restricted Gloucestershire to 260-6 in reply.

Hampshire are now the only county who can pip leaders Worcestershire for the title. But to do so Shane Warne's men must beat Lancashire in their final match at Old Trafford next Sunday, hope Worcestershire lose their last two fixtures and then, with an equal number of victories, finish top on a run-rate that is currently inferior to that of their rivals.

Chris Benham, brought in to replace the injured John Crawley, top-scored for Hampshire with 111, his first century of the season, off 105 balls with 10 fours. He shared a second-wicket stand of 141 with Sean Ervine who made 74.

Crucially, Warne and Shaun Udal slammed 19 runs off the last over--and on top of that Gloucestershire conceded six "penalty" runs for not bowling their overs in the allocated time.

The Gloucestershire run-chase then got off to a tremendous start, Kadeer Ali (114) and Hamish Marshall (76) sharing an opening stand of 162 before Udal, who finished with 1-34 off his eight overs, trapped Marshall lbw.

Warne then dismissed the dangerous Craig Spearman cheaply before, with the visitors 192-3 in the 30th over, play was held up for several minutes as Kadeer Ali received treatment after collapsing with cramp.

Kadeer resumed his innings, batting with a runner, but was bowled by Warne to make it 231-5 in the 36th over as Gloucestershire gradually slipped behind the required run-rate.

HAMPSHIRE 274-5 (40 overs): Benham 111, Ervine 74, Greenidge 2-50, Lewis 2-52; GLOUCESTERSHIRE 260-6 (40 overs): Kadeer Ali 114, Marshall 76, Hardinges 35 not out, Warne 2-52, Udal 1-34.

HAMPSHIRE won by 14 runs.

Hampshire are back in action on Tuesday in a vital Liverpool/Victoria County Championship match against Kent at The Rose Bowl. Play starts at 10.30am on all four days.