SEAN Terry celebrated the best day of his career after an LV County Championship innings his dad never managed – a match-winning knock at Hove.

Former Hampshire star Paul Terry scored a century when Hampshire beat Sussex at Eastbourne in 1983 and he was also in the side that won at Arundel in 1992.

But you have to go back to 1978 and 1998, either side of Terry snr’s playing career, for Hampshire’s last first-class victories at Hove.

After ending the 17-year drought against Hampshire’s south-coast rivals with an unbeaten 62, Terry said: “This tops the lot, this is one of the best days I’ve ever had.

“I’m enjoying every minute of playing with these guys, that’s all I can do. These are the days you have to enjoy, it’s an unbelievable feeling.”

Terry recovered from a blow on the thumb and the dismissals of four experienced teammates to ensure the county’s first Championship win of the season as Hampshire chased down 126.

He said: “We’ve had a few tough games but kept sticking in there and no one deserves this more than this bunch of lads.

“Once I got in it was my responsibility to see us home. There were a few tricks in the wicket but I had to put that out of my mind, be mentally strong and put the ones that fly past the head out of mind!

“Positivity was the key. When it hit the good parts of the wicket you could score pretty freely so we we were always confident.”

Terry was on 42 when his thumb was strapped up. “It hurt and I tried to be tough but I was hopping round like a little girl! It stung but I’m sure a couple of beers will make it better. There was no chance of me going off.”

It was the perfect response to being out for for 0 and one against county champions Yorkshire at Headingley last month - Terry's first first-class appearance since his back-to-back division two fifties in September 2013.

“I was disappointed with myself for going into my shell and letting the occasion get to me against Yorkshire,” continued the 23 year-old, who was born in Southampton and raised in Perth,

“This was important for me so I’m really happy with how it went. When you’ve been in my position you’re just glad to be walking out with established guys who have scored thousands of runs.

“After all the days in the twos I just wanted to play my shots and be positive. Hopefully now I can push on and get a few more big ones for the team.”

Liam Dawson, who Terry replaced as Jimmy Adams’ opening partner at Hove, responded to being dropped with 154 as Hampshire’s Second XI beat Somerset in a friendly at Taunton Vale.