Hamblin and Udal thwart Yorkshire victory attempt.

Having lost the whole of the third day to rain, Yorkshire set about increasing their lead, which they did with venom, Steven Fleming and Michael Lumb in particular were fierce on the Hampshire attack, cutting and pulling at anything short. James Bruce came in for punishment, but was rewarded with a wicket when the New Zealander pulled him to deep mid-wicket. Udal and Hamblin stemmed the tide, but the home side added 188 runs to set up a declaration just before the scheduled lunch interval.

Losing Derek Kenway and Simon Katich early put a damper on the idea of a run chase. Kenway was again unfortunate when he was lbw to a ball that barely left the ground. Katich the hero of the first innings left Victor Craven's first ball as he misread the inswinger.

James Adams and John Crawley then steaded the innings, but the pace was slow, and when both were dismissed, quickly followed by two more wickets, Hampshire were in serious danger of defeat.

A cold wind streatched in from the North Sea as Hamblin and Udal then set about their defence, the pair stayed together for 80 minutes, surviving regular appeals and near misses as the Yorkshire bowlers tried in vain to dislodge them.