JIMMY Adams spoke of his relief after his first LV County Championship century of the season helped Hampshire to a crucial draw against relegation rivals Somerset at Taunton.

Adams ended a torrid run of form (43 runs from his previous eight innings) with 136 as Hampshire, 390 behind after the first innings, reached 411-4 before hands were shaken on Saturday afternoon, writes Simon Walter.

The result means Somerset have extended the gap between second-from-bottom Hampshire and the nearest safety position to 11 points after taking maximum bonus points.

But Hampshire showed their battling qualities in saving the game to ensured Somerset did not extend their lead by another 16.

It means Hampshire’s season is still alive as they prepare to host champions Yorkshire from Monday before taking on Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in the final round of games.

Somerset' are now level on points with Sussex - who they play at Hove from Monday.

So with Adams back in form, there is still hope of another Great Escape.

Adams, who was replaced by James Vince as Hampshire’s four-day captain earlier this season, told Radio Solent: “It’s been a tough old season, certainly in four-day cricket it’s been one of those where sometimes I haven’t really known where the next run is coming from.

“It’s been a pretty wretched few months. I have to thank the guys for sticking with me because there were times I was doubting myself.

“But if there’s anywhere you want to bat when you’re out of nick it’s Taunton – it was certainly trickier at the Riverside [against Durham] last week!

“It’s been a really torrid few months so it was nice to come here where you trust the wicket a bit more. I got a bit of luck early and managed to carry on so I was delighted.”

Well though Adams played, he was fortunate to be dropped at first slip by Jim Allenby on 94.

“It was probably one of the easier ones he’s had this year – I said I’d buy him a beer,” smiled Adams. “You need slices of luck at times and it was nice to make it count.”

Adams reached three figures from 199 balls, with 14 fours.

“It was a relief,” he admitted. “It’s been a very tough year at times so a big thing to be able to do that. In a way Somerset bowled better [than on the first day], but that’s the strange thing about cricket, you get your rewards some days and not on others.

“Jamie Overton bowled beautifully, he hardly bowled a bad ball and was exceptional to the left handers. But if the bowlers didn’t quite get it right there were runs on a fast outfield.”

Hampshire began the final day on 258-1. Somerset took the new ball straight away and Adams, who was on 117 overnight, lost Vince (77) in the sixth over after a second-wicket stand of 128 when Craig Overton had Hampshire’s captain caught at gully looking to cut.

Two overs later, rain caused a 45-minute delay and the loss of 12 overs, after which Adams and Will Smith saw Hampshire to lunch on 309-2 Adams was caught behind pushing forward to Peter Trego’s medium pace for a 313-ball 136 (19 fours) in the third over after lunch.

Will Smith (50) and Liam Dawson (44 not out) responded with a fourth-wicket partnership of 72 in 35 overs. Smith drove occasional off-spinner Tom Cooper to mid-on in the seventh over after tea before Sean Ervine (13 not out) helped Hampshire erase the deficit.