June 1-4
Hampshire 277 (Pietersen 0, Harris 6-83)
Notts 222-5 declared (Read 59*)
Hampshire 220-4
Notts 261 (Fleming 105, Hussey 64)

Hampshire won by 14 runs

Our skipper was amazed that we threw away our last six wickets for 11 runs and allowed Hampshire to leapfrog us into top spot in Division One but said our attacking cricket will be rewarded at some point this season.

He said: ?I thought the partnership between myself and David Hussey had won us the game but we lost our way completely and threw away the match.

?I think my wicket was the key because the guys coming in couldn?t keep the momentum going. Fair play to Hampshire, they stuck at it and never gave up, but there?s no doubt we should have won it.

?In some respects it was like our loss to Lancashire in the totesport League, because there we looked on course to reach our target and blew it at the end.

?That shows we need to improve our composure at the crucial stages of matches and make sure we finish them off.

?But I hope everyone will remember what an exciting afternoon?s cricket we had rather than waiting for a boring draw.

?I want to entertain and win and the cricket played was outstanding entertainment. I?ve no doubt we will be rewarded for such positive intent before the season?s finished.?

Fleming agreed with Hampshire skipper Shane Warne to play for a positive result and we were set 277 to win from 65 overs.

Fleming and Hussey seemed on target to complete the victory but seamer Chris Tremlett?s stunning hat-trick left us needing 14 from two overs with the last pair of Ryan Sidebottom and AJ Harris at the wicket.

Warne then bowled Sidebottom to complete the collapse and Director of Cricket Mick Newell was left to reflect on what might have been.

He said: ?We were confident the game was ours but when we came under pressure we didn?t have anything to offer. We?ve made a complete pig?s ear out of it and we need to think about what went wrong.

?The last time we lost in the Championship we bounced straight back with an innings victory and I want us to do the same when we travel to Arundel to take on Sussex in 11 days time.?