LANCASHIRE made short work of scoring the 92 runs they required to clinch a six-wicket victory against Hampshire in just over an hour’s play at sunny Southport.

A half-century by Red Rose captain Dane Vilas steered his side to a first County Championship victory of the season before lunch and extend Lancashire’s unbeaten record in the competition to 14 games over the last twelve months.

Lancashire take 22 points from the game to move on to 68 points from six games and advance their Championship ambitions while for Hampshire the defeat and three points received have put a dent in their title hopes with 82 points from seven matches.

Starting the day on 48 for two, Vilas and Josh Bohannon successfully negotiated the opening overs from Mohammad Abbas and Keith Barker before both settled to play a more expansive game.

Once Vilas blazed Barker emphatically through cover for four and Bohannon did likewise off Felix Organ in the following over, the outcome looked to be in little doubt, even when Organ snaffled Bohannon for a well-made 37 from an edge to Vince at slip.

By then just 47 runs were required and that was reduced quickly once Daryl Mitchell had hammered Kyle Abbott over extra cover for six and Vilas, having reached a 73-ball fifty, pulled Organ over midwicket for six more.

Mitchell departed for 14 to a legside glance off Abbas taken by wicketkeeper Ben Brown, but Rob Jones (14 not out) struck three consecutive fours off Organ before Vilas hit the winning runs to finish unbeaten on 64.

Hampshire can take great credit for the way they fought back from a disastrous first day to put themselves in with a chance of turning the game around.

The South Coast side were 119 for one, trailing by 113 runs when play resumed on day three, and Fletcha Middleton and Nick Gubbins made steady progress through the first 75 minutes, adding 39 runs to take their second-wicket partnership into three figures until Balderson’s intervention reshaped the nature of the morning session.

James Vince rallied his troops with some sumptuous drives to take Hampshire ahead shortly after the break before a moment of controversy saw George Bell claim his maiden first-class wicket. Liam Dawson attempted a reverse sweep against the off-spinner and was clearly disappointed to be given out caught behind for 26, the batter gesticulating his displeasure as he walked off.

There was little debate when Will Williams trapped Felix Organ in front for 4 with Hampshire 252 for six and only 20 ahead.

But Vince and Keith Barker dug in to produce a determined alliance that had added 40 runs before Barker edged a drive off Tom Bailey to Daryl Mitchell to first slip for 18.

Mason Crane provided further solid support to help Vince take the Hampshire lead into three figures after tea before he edged Jack Blatherwick to Rob Jones at slip for 22.

Running out of partners, Vince hit out only to perish to a catch at deep square leg off Mitchell, but his superb effort had given Hampshire something bowl, especially when Kyle Abbott added 23 more to the total before being last out to an outstanding catch by Williams at third man.

Hampshire host Middlesex at the Ageas Bowl up next, beginning on Sunday, June 25.