Matt Hobden and Luke Wells mopped up the Hampshire tail to give Sussex a well-fought 92-run win after the Ageas Bowl hosts gave them a scare.
Seamer Hobden and part-time spinner Wells made light work of Hampshire’s lower order – steaming through the six fourth-day wickets needed before lunch to open Sussex’s LV= County Championship bid strongly.
Hampshire had been given a glimmer of hope after Michael Carberry scored 79 yesterday evening but regular wickets stunted the newly-promoted side’s chase.
Needing 197 on the final day Hampshire started poorly, Will Smith adding just one run to the overnight score before he tickled down leg side to a juggling wicketkeeper Ben Brown.
Hobden bagged a second, during a devastating five-over spell from the Hotel End, in his next over when he knocked over Adam Wheater’s stumps.
Ajmal Shahzad took his sixth scalp of the match to end an anti-climactic opening hour – Gareth Berg pushing outside off stump to short extra-cover.
Tomlinson is bowled by Luke Wells and Sussex win by 92 runs... GOOD OLD SUSSEX BY THE SEA....!!! #GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 15, 2015
Chris Wood and Sean Ervine put on 109 for the eighth wicket to save Hampshire’s first innings but could not repeat their heroics – as Ervine scored 42 before Wells picked up a wicket with his first ball to all but end the hosts’ hopes.
Wood played positively, smashing a straight six off Wells as he and Briggs scored a flurry of runs – adding 26 in 5.1 overs together.
All-rounder Wood succumbed for 30 – edging Steve Magoffin behind – before Wells bowled James Tomlinson to seal victory.
Sussex commanded a first-innings lead of 213 – after a fantastic century by Brown and excellent pace bowling – but after skipper Ed Joyce decided not to enforce the follow-on, the visitors were skittled for 164.
Luke Wright started his season with an impressive fifties in both innings, and Sussex will be enthusiastic by their exciting pace attack that shared 16 of the 20 wickets.
Hampshire were given a sniff of a highest home chase at the Ageas Bowl after a fast-paced start, but regular wickets let down the home side.
Great start to the season for @SussexCCC with a win against Hampshire. Well done lads! #GOSBTS
— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) April 15, 2015
The 2014 Division Two champions will travel to Warwickshire next week, while Sussex will face the other promoted side Worcestershire at home.
Sussex captain Ed Joyce said: “It is great to get a win under our belts against a really good team.
“We let ourselves down with the bat in the second innings to give them a sniff of victory.
“Our bowlers throughout the game were outstanding and so was our catching – both of those things helped us win the game.
“Hampshire were a really strong team, even without their overseas bowler. They will be a difficult side to beat this season.”
Home captain Jimmy Adams said: “It’s not ideal or what we envisioned.
“I thought yesterday guys showed a lot of character and give us a chance of winning the game today – but it wasn’t to be.
“We missed a big score from one of the top six which was the difference in the two teams.”