HAMPSHIRE HAWKS (162-7) LOST TO KENT SPITFIRES (166-6) BY 4 WICKETS

Match Report by BBC Radio Solent's Kris Temple 
 
Kent Spitfires exacted revenge on the Hampshire Hawks, with a four-wicket win in another last-ball thriller at Canterbury.
 
The home side were keen to turn the tables, after losing their unbeaten record to the Hawks at the Rose Bowl at the weekend. Hampshire captain Nic Pothas again opted to bat first after winning the toss, and openers Michael Lumb and Ian Harvey continued their recent fine form by getting the Hawks off to a flying start. They raced to 68 from the six-over fielding restrictions, before Lumb perished leg-before to the impressive Simon Cook for 38 from 22 balls.
 
Harvey slammed 31 from just 20 balls, but Michael Carberry again marshalled the innings, making his third consecutive half-century, this time against his former club. He fell though to a running catch by Justin Kemp at long-off for 51, leaving the lower order to grab what they could from the closing overs. Teenager Liam Dawson struck two boundaries to take Hampshire to 162 for 7 from their 20 overs.
 
Having started their chase poorly at the Rose Bowl, Kent set the tone early, with skipper Rob Key particularly savage on Hampshire teenager Hamza Riazuddin, whose first over cost 21 runs. When Key ran himself out for 40, Joe Denly and Martin van Jaarsveld were comfortably ticking the Spitfires' scoreboard along. Dawson snared van Jaarsveld LBW reverse-sweeping though, before Denly reached 50 for the fourth time in four Twenty20 matches this season. He was bowled by Nantie Hayward soon after, to give the Hawks fresh hope.
 
With 42 required from the final 4 overs, the game was tilted slightly in Kent's favour, particularly when Justin Kemp and Azhar Mahmood both despatched Ian Harvey over long-on for sixes in the same over. The home side required 12 runs from 12 balls, and a touch of discomfort set in when Darren Stevens and Geraint Jones were both dismissed in the final over. With the big-hitting Mahmood still at the crease though, Kent were always favourites, and with the scores tied on the final delivery, the Pakistani clattered Harvey for four to see his side home by four wickets.
 
Of Hampshire's bowlers, Greg Lamb again turned in an economical spell of 4 overs for 20, while Billy Taylor also impressed with 1 for 25 from his allocation.
 
Afterwards, Hampshire captain Nic Pothas told BBC Radio Solent:

"I think there were a few instances where we could've put the game to bed. I think if we had to put our hands up, between myself, Chris Benham and Lamby (Greg Lamb) we should've got a lot more. We were looking at 180 at a minimum, but we probably lost the game at numbers 5, 6 and 7. It's a funny thing to say because we lost, but the way we're playing cricket at the moment, I'm very very happy."
 
Hampshire return to action on Wednesday, when they take on Surrey Brown Caps at The Oval. Catch live commentary on BBC Radio Solent from 5.30pm.  Follow the BBC Radio Solent link from our home page. 

Hampshire's next home match is against south coast rivals the Sussex Sharks on Friday 20th June.  The action starts at 7:00pm and tickets cost £15* per adult in advance, £20 on the day and only £5 for juniors.

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