Nick Gubbins finally broke his 40s curse to reach a first fifty in the County Championship this season as Hampshire battled back against Somerset.

Somerset had begun the day in a commanding position – thanks largely to James Rew’s 86 – but ended up only securing a 50-run first-innings lead.

Nick Gubbins cancelled that out, and after scores of 48, 43 and 48, was finally able to raise the bat during the 2026 season.

He ended the day 70 not out, with Tom Prest also contributing with 43, as Hampshire reached a lead of 96 in their bid to set table-toppers Somerset a tricky target.

Somerset had been in the ascendancy, having bowled Hampshire out before ending day one with Tom Abell and Rew well set.

That momentum continued on the second day as the pair took their partnership to 101.

Rew and Abell have enjoyed each other’s company at the crease this season – having put on 140 and 57 in their previous two alliances.

Nothing had happened in the first hour of the day to suggest Somerset were not on for a significant first-innings lead, but then Codi Yusuf started to get the ball to reverse, and Liam Dawson built pressure with a touch of turn.

However, the tailing in from Yusuf could not be apportioned as the reason for Rew’s dismissal. The 22-year-old lost focus on 86 to waft outside his off stump and offer a catch to gully.

It was a rare misstep in yet another example of Rew’s incredible talents – which this season has seen him score at least 48 in each of his four innings, to boast an average of 80.

His dismissal saw Somerset lose four wickets for 29 runs, and even the overall match situation up, with Hampshire suddenly dominant.

Will Smeed needed 23 balls to get off the mark and fell hoicking Yusuf down to deep fine leg, Abell edged a subtly spinning Dawson delivery behind on 49, and Lewis Gregory was bowled by a wickedly in-ducking Kyle Abbott ball.

Somerset suddenly looked in danger of not reaching Hampshire 238, but Craig Overton got them a lead, before he swished to cover.

Jack Leach had been an important cog in a 38-run partnership with Overton but he clumsily ran himself out after looking well-set on 20.

The fact Somerset claimed a 50-run lead, was down to an incredible salvo from Alfie Ogborne.

The tailender scored 39 runs across his first nine first-class innings without hitting a six. Here he struck three lusty blows in an entertaining 38 – which only came to an end when Eddie Jack plucked a caught and bowled which was hurling past him.

South African Yusuf, who had been luckless thus far in the campaign, returned 3-67 in the pick of the bowlers.

The hints the pitch was flattening was confirmed when Hampshire began their second innings, as the evening saw run after run with little chance or excitement for the bowlers.

Nick Gubbins’s Championship tally of 623 in 2025 was far below his previous two seasons of 895 and 969.

A move to the top of the order, from number three, has felt a more natural switch, but despite a slew of scores in the 40s, a half-century had evaded him. He finally converted to the milestone with ruthless efficiency.

There were 114 runs scored before the first wicket fell, but by three rather than two batters – as Toby Albert retired hurt after taking a throw at the stumps to the unprotected part of his leg.

Prest therefore completed the first-wicket runs, putting on 92 with Gubbins for another start before he was lbw to Jake Ball – who was bowling his first ball of the innings in the 31st over.

Gubbins and Jake Lehmann gracefully reached close to leave the match finely in the balance.

Report by ECB Reporters’ Network, supported by Rothesay.